Significance, mechanisms and control of renal ammoniagenesis.

Abstract

Ammonia is quantitatively the major buffer for hydrogen ion in the urine. Further, the excretion of ammonia can be varied by acid base status and is therefore of homeostatic importance. Acid base status exerts its effect on ammonia excretion both directly and also via an effect on renal ammonia production from glutamine. The mechanism of the effect of acid base status on glutamine deamidation and deamination is uncertain. Apart from its homeostatic role in health and disease alterations in renal ammonia production may assume pathological importance in potassium depletion and uric acid urolithiasis.