Ammonia is an essential intermediate of a number of metabolic pathways in the body, from the maintenance of normal brain function, efficient immune response, to the production of energy within muscle cells to maintain contraction during exercise. However, ammonia levels must be carefully maintained within a low concentration range (no greater than 50-100μmol/L), or toxicity may develop. Excess ammonia, also known as hyperammonaemia, has been linked to the development of neurological dysfunction in liver disease states and certain in-born genetic metabolic defects (e.g. urea cycle enzyme deficiencies), whilst it is also believed to impair the regulation of protein metabolism in a number of tissues.
| Date of Award | Jun 2012 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Awarding Institution | |
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The metabolic and functional consequences of hyperammonaemia
Wilkinson, D. J. (Author). Jun 2012
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis