Effects of L-carnitine on urea synthesis following acute ammonia intoxication in mice.
L-Carnitine protects mice against acute ammonia intoxication. The effect of L-carnitine on in vivo incorporation of [14C] bicarbonate into urea has been investigated in mice given large doses of ammonium acetate. The hepatic content of N-acetylglutamate has been measured. Following ammonia administration the animals given L-carnitine have much higher production of urea than the unprotected mice. The marked protective effect of L-carnitine on ammonium acetate-induced hyperammonemia and on the increase in urea synthesis is not due primarily to activation of N-acetylglutamate synthetase.
D000641:Ammonia / Q000506:poisoning*; D000818:Animals; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000378:metabolism; D002331:Carnitine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005971:Glutamates / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D014508:Urea / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D001639:Bicarbonates; D005971:Glutamates; D000641:Ammonia; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D014508:Urea; C016195:N-acetylglutamic acid; D002331:Carnitine