THE EFFECT OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF SODIUM BICARBONATE AND AMMONIUM CHLORIDE ON THE EXCRETION AND PRODUCTION OF AMMONIA. THE ABSENCE OF ALTERATIONS IN THE ACTIVITY OF RENAL AMMONIA-PRODUCING ENZYMES IN THE DOG

Abstract

An adaptive increase in ammonia excretion following the chronic administration of NH4Cl is known to occur in the dog. This, as well as the decrease in ammonia excretion following chronic bicarbonate administration, has been confirmed. The adaptive changes in ammonia excretion are not accompanied by alterations in the activities of any of the renal enzymes known to be involved directly or indirectly in the conversion of glutamine to ammonia. In contrast to findings in the rat, NH4Cl did not increase the activity of glutaminase I, glutaminase II, glutamic dehydrogenase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase in kidney homogenates. Furthermore enzymatic hydrolysis of glutamine by intact kidney slices was unaltered.