Prevention of ammonia-induced brain edema in dogs infused with a branched-chain amino acid solution.

Infusion of an ammonium acetate solution into dogs during mannitol-induced reversible opening of the blood-brain barrier resulted in a marked rise in intracranial pressure (ICP). The preventive effect of a branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) solution on ammonia-induced brain edema was tested by measuring ICP and brain water content. The BCAA solution apparently prevented ammonia-induced brain edema, indicating that BCAA accelerated ammonia detoxification in the brain.