Toxicity and Blood Ammonia Rise Resulting from Intravenous Amino Acid Administration in Man: The Protective Effect of l-Arginine

Comparison of urological irrigating fluids containing glycine and mannitol in volunteers

“…The plasma ammonia level may increase after glycine but not after mannitol administration [17] and, therefore, hyperammonemia is one mechanism that explains some cases of mental alterations after glycine absorption [18,19]. In the present study, however, the rise in the blood ammonia level up to 30 min after ending the infusion, when it is expected to peak [20], was fairly small. Alcohol is another toxic agent that might impair cognitive function.…”

Ammonia Intoxication in Rats: Protection by N -Carbamoyl-L-Glutamate Plus L-Arginine

“…While therapy in these cases has been directed toward lowering the sources of ammonia (low protein intake, reduction of intestinal sources of ammonia by use of antibiotics and other agents, etc) (24,25), direct therapy has involved the use of arginine or a combination of arginine and glutamic acid (22,26,27). The rationale for the use of arginine stems from the studies of Greenstein and coworkers discussed earlier, and that for glutamic acid is based on its potential as a substrate for glutamine synthesis in extrahepatic tissues (28,29) [as well as to adults (30,31)] is also frequently associated with hyperammonemia. The potential benefit of parental feeding of amino acids to malnourished infants and adults thus must be balanced against the potential hazard of hyperammonemia.…”

Amino Acid and Keto Acid Diets for Therapy in Renal Failure

“…In contrast, the kidney synthesizes arginine and contributes it to these tissues [75], Hence, renal failure may create a need for exogenous arginine. At pres ent nitrogen balance studies do not support a need for dietary arginine in uremic patients [14,73], It is of interest that in humans and animals, administration of moderate to large doses of amino acids without arginine has resulted in severe ammonia intoxication which can be prevented by administering arginine [77]. Felig et al [78] have also indicated that the kidney is a contributor of serine, and whether there may be a requirement for serine in renal failure is unknown.…”