Transport and Excretion of Ammonia

The detoxifying action of GL is strikingly demonstrated by Sapirstein s (145) observation that QL is highly efficient as an antidote for the central action of injected anuno-nium salts, and by the clinical studies of Price, Waelsch and Putnam (139) on the favorable effect of GL in attacks of epileptic petit mal. 

As a catabolic waste product ammonia must be translocated from the different tissues to liver for conversion into urea, and to the kidneys for excretion. Circulating blood, however, contains practically no free ammonia (Parnas, Conway). Glutamine, present in blood plasma in concentrations of 5-12 mg.% (86, 87, 7), acts as the vehicle of ammonia. 

Conspicuous evidence for the fimction of glutamine as a transport form and reserve of ammonia and, incidentally, for its role in the regulation of acid-base economy (see p. 39) is provided by the recent studies of Van Slyke and collaboraton (165). These 

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