Cerebral Effects of Acute Ammonia Intoxication I. The Influence on Intracellular and Extracellular Acid-Base Parameters

Abstract

The effect of acute ammonia intoxication upon extra- and intracellular acid-base parameters in the brain was evaluated in lightly anesthetized normocapnic rats after intraperitoneal injection of ammonium acetate. The ammonia loads were unassociated with any significant changes in the CSF pH in spite of a progressive accumulation of lactate in the CSF. Comparable results were obtained for the intracellular space, which showed small decreases in pH' in spite of a substantial increase in the intracellular lactate concentration. It is concluded that the lactacidosis developing during am monia intoxication is balanced by an influx of basic equivalents from the blood. These basic equivalents may be represented by nonionic diffusion of NH₃.

Key Words:

• Ammonia
• brain tissue pH
• CSF pH