Ammonia absorption from the canine colon after portacaval shunt

Ammonia absorption was studied from Thirty-Vella colon loops in 6 dogs. Four underwent an end-to-side portacaval shunt and it was shown that absorption of ammonia from the colon significantly increased postoperatively. Absorption of ammonia from various solutions was also measured before and after portacaval shunt and it was shown taht absorption was increased from a high pH solution and from a solution with a high bicarbonate content and reduced from a low pH, low osmolality and high osmolality solution. Increased deposits of stainable iron were demonstrated in the livers of dogs following portacaval shunt.