Molecular Mechanism of Acute Ammonia Toxicity and of its Prevention by L-Carnitine

Abstract
One of the more remarkable consequences of liver failure (fulminant hepatic failure, liver cirrhosis, etc) and of deficiencies in the enzymes of the urea cycle is the defective elimination of ammonia and the increase of ammonia levels in blood. Hyperammonemia seems to be one of the main factors contributing to the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy and, probably, to the development of hepatic coma.