J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1974 Jun;3(1):33-40.

An Experimental Study on Changes in Level of Ammonia of Brain Compression and Ischemia in the Rabbit

• Lee KC
• Chu JW

Abstract

Numerous experimental and clinical studies of brain metabolism have reported since last 10 years, and many authors have concentrated their efforts on the metabolism of gas, glucose, electrolytes and enzymes. Glutamic acid that is utilized in the brain is one of the most important metabolites and plays very important role in the brain to detoxify the ammonia which is toxic to the nervous tissue even with minute amount. Authors have attempted to measure the level of ammonia in the diseased brain tissue of rabbits as the first step believing that there may be some derangement in the process of production or detoxication of the ammonia in the brain. The experiments were carried out on adult rabbits weighing between 1.5 and 2.2kg. The specimens were grouped into 3:contrast group of normal rabbits compression group of animals with expanding laminaria in the intracranial epidural space and ischemic group of animals with bilateral liation of common carotid arteries. Although we could'nt find any helpful references to the study of the ammonia measurement in the rabbit's brain and were facing a little difficulty to conclude whether the result of this experiment is significant or not, it was the fact that there was a strong tendency of increase in the ammonia level at an acute stage of brain compression and ischemia and then, as the time elapsed, the decreasing, level of ammonia near the contrast group was studied. Therefore, as a second step further research on the substances which relate to the ammonia metabolism has to be done in the above mentioned experimental media.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Ammonia*
Animals
Brain*
Carotid Artery, Common
Electrolytes
Epidural Space
Glucose
Glutamic Acid
Humans
Ischemia*
Laminaria
Metabolism
Rabbits
Ammonia
Electrolytes
Glucose
Glutamic Acid