Ammonia Production in the Human Colon

Abstract

In 14 healthy volunteers, studied by colonic perfusion technics, colonic ammonia output during steady-state conditions was 1782 ± 233 μg per hour (S.E.). Colonic outputs and concentrations of ammonia in four patients with cirrhosis and encephalopathy were similar. In these patients, blood ammonia concentrations fell during cleansing by perfusion. Treatment with neomycin reduced colonic ammonia concentration and outputs; the urease inhibitor acetohydroxamic acid reduced colonic ammonia output by a systemic effect but had no effect when perfused through the colon.