The effects of ammonia and portal-systemic shunting on brain metabolims, neurotransmission and intracranial hypertension in hyperammonaemia-induced encephalopathy Vogels, B.A.P.M.; van Steynen, B.; Maas, M.A.W.; Jorning, G.G.A.; Chamuleau, R.A.F.M.
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Results:Although similar increased blood and brain ammonia concentrations were obtained in both experimental groups, only AI-portacaval shunted rats developed encephalopathy, associated with a significant increase in intracranial pressure.
HEPATIC encephalopathy (HE) is generally regarded to be a reversible neuropsychiatric syndrome in patients with liver failure. It is often associated with portal-systemic shunting of blood, which may occur spontaneously or be surgically induced. Although the pathogenesis of HE is probably multi- Conclusions: These results indicate that hyperammonaemia alone does not induce encephalopathy, whereas portal-systemic shunting adds an essential contribution to the pathogenesis of encephalopathy. It is hypothesised that the larger increase in brain glutamine in AI-portacaval shunted rats than in AI-NORM rats is responsible for increased brain concentrations of aromatic amino acids, for cell swelling and for extracellular release of glutamate and aspartate. This might promote encephalopathy. If cell swelling is not restricted, intracranial hypertension will develop