Cerebrovascular effects of ammonia in vitro

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Abstract
The effect of ammonia (ammonium salts) upon human and rabbit cerebral arteries was studied in vitro. Ammonia (NH3/NH4+) caused relaxation of cerebrovascular smooth muscle which was transient and occurred irrespective of how the vessels were preconstricted (K-Krebs solution, noradrenaline [norepinephrine], serotinin and prostaglandin F2.alpha.). The effect was independent of ammonia-induced extracelluar changes in pH. Ammonia may contribute to the vasodilation and increase in cerebral blood flow which occurs under certain pathophysiological conditions.