Chronic metabolic effects of ammonia in mouse brain

Chronic ammonia toxicity in experimental mice was induced by exposing them for 2 and 5 days to 5 % (v/v) ammonia solution. The enzymes concerned with glutamate metabolism (aspartate-, alanine- and tyrosine aminotransferases, glutamate dehydrogenase and glutamine synthetase) and (Na+ + K+)-ATPase were estimated in the three regions of brain (cerebellum, cerebral cortex and brain stem) and in liver. Glutamate, aspartate, alanine, glutamine and GABA, RNA and protein were also estimated in the three regions of brain and liver. A significant rise in the activity of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase in all the three regions of brain along with a fall in the activity of alanine aminotransferase was noticed. Changes in the activities of other enzymes were also observed. A significant increase in alanine and a decrease in glutamic acid was observed while no change was observed in the content of other amino acids belonging to the glutamate family. As a result of this, changes in the ratios of glutamate/glutamine and glutamate + aspartate/GABA was observed. The results indicated that the brain was in a state of more depression and less of excitation. Under these conditions the liver tissue was showing a profound rise in the activity of the enzymes of glutamate metabolism. The results are further discussed.