Intestinal ammonia metabolism in ethanolic rats.

Repeated treatment of ethanol for 5 consecutive days has produced significant biochemical changes in the small intestine of the rat. The LDH and SDH were inhibited leading to deficient energy output from the glycolytic pathway and the Krebs cycle. The changes in ammonia metabolic profiles of intestine and blood indicate the presence of hyperammonemia. Enzymatic reactions associated with urea production and the levels of urea were increased. GS activity decreased explaining low levels of glutamine. These studies implicate PNC in producing hyperammonemia during ethanol treatment.