Accumulation of ammonia and changes in the activity of some ammonia metabolizing enzymes during brain ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

The ammonia concentration and changes in the activity of ammonia metabolizing enzymes in the brain tissue during ischemia/reperfusion were investigated in rats. During ischemia (0.5 h) we found a statistically significant increase in brain ammonia concentration and a significant decrease in glutamate dehydrogenase activity. After 1 h of reperfusion, a further accumulation of ammonia concentration was observed. Furthermore, the brain glutamine syntethase and glutamate dehydrogenase were decreased, whereas the brain glutaminase activity was increased. The causes for the changed activities of some ammonia metabolizing enzymes in brain after ischemia/reperfusion have been discussed.