Ammonia Metabolism Assessed by Ammonia Infusion

Ammonia Metabolism Assessed by Ammonia Infusion

The present study will develop a method to assess ammonia metabolism by ammonia infusion and investigate ammonia production and clearance in healthy individuals and in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Inclusion Criteria - Healthy controls:

• Alcohol < 40g/day
• BMI < 30
• Diseased or medicated

Inclusion Criteria - Patients with cirrhosis:

• Child-Pugh A or B cirrhosis
• BMI < 30

Exclusion Criteria:

• Child-Pugh score C
• Kidney failure (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73m2)
• Overt hepatic encephalopathy or more than one previous 1 episode of overt hepatic encephalopathy
• Acute bacterial infection
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Ammonia-targeted treatment of hepatic encephalopathy other than lactulose (including Rifaximin and branched-chain amino acids)