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Ammonia metabolism during acid-base disturbance

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Conclusions

Acid-base disturbance alters the metabolism of glutamine. The extraction of glutamine by the kidney as well as renal ammoniagenesis from glutamine are increased in chronic metabolic acidosis. The metabolism of glutamine within other organs may be altered, either resulting from or triggering the adaptation in the kidney. As our knowledge of mitochondrial transport unfolds, so also will our understanding of the metabolism of glutamine in the renal cells. The interorgan co-operation in providing more glutamine to the kidney, when it is needed, is a relatively new and exciting area, which remains to be elucidated. We are indebted to Professor Conway for providing us with a technique for measuring ammonia and for acting as an inspiration for others to theorise the mechanism of ammonia transport.

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  1. Department of Physiology, University College, Galway

    D. J. O’Donovan

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The 8th Conway Review Lecture, delivered at the Annual Meeting of the Section of Biological Sciences of the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland, Cork, June 28th, 1984.

I would like to acknowledge the financial assistance of the Medical Research Council of Ireland, which made it possible for me to pursue this fascinating area of research. I am indebted to Drs. I. Ni Fhaolain, P. Mooney, E. Rooney, B. B. O’Neill, P. A. Walsh, M. McDermott, Messrs. T. Dunne, A. Hassen, to Mrs. B. Nolen and Miss K. Lydon, who contributed to many aspects of this work.

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O’Donovan, D.J. Ammonia metabolism during acid-base disturbance. I.J.M.S. 154, 253–261 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02937160

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