Renal Ammoniagenesis during the Recovery Phase of Postischemic Acute Renal Failure in the Dog1

Abstract

Renal ammoniagenesis has been studied in 6 dogs before and 48 h after a 60-min period of renal ischemia induced by clamping the renal artery and in 6 sham-operated animals. Two days after temporary renal ischemia, the dogs showed a 25% decrease in glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow and a similar decrease in sodium reabsorption. Renal production of ammonium was not significantly different under basal conditions or 2 days after ischemia, but more ammonia was released by the urine in the postischemic dogs. Renal uptake of glutamine was similar in control and in postischemic kidneys. It is concluded that during the recovery phase of the ischemia, renal ammoniagenesis is conserved.