Which organ is primarily responsible for ammonia metabolism and its failure can lead to hepatic encephalopathy?

Which organ is primarily responsible for ammonia metabolism and its failure can lead to hepatic encephalopathy?

• A. Liver
• B. Kidney
• C. Spleen
• D. Pancreas

Answer: (A)

Ammonia detoxification is a liver function. In the liver, hepatocytes use the urea cycle to convert toxic ammonia into urea, which is then excreted by the kidneys. Ammonia mainly comes from gut bacteria breaking down proteins, entering the portal circulation, and being processed by the liver. When the liver fails, ammonia builds up in the blood and can cross into the brain, where it disrupts astrocyte function and neurotransmission, leading to hepatic encephalopathy. The kidneys do handle some ammonia excretion, but this is secondary to hepatic detoxification, and the spleen and pancreas do not play major roles in ammonia metabolism.

Ammonia detoxification is a liver function. In the liver, hepatocytes use the urea cycle to convert toxic ammonia into urea, which is then excreted by the kidneys. Ammonia mainly comes from gut bacteria breaking down proteins, entering the portal circulation, and being processed by the liver. When the liver fails, ammonia builds up in the blood and can cross into the brain, where it disrupts astrocyte function and neurotransmission, leading to hepatic encephalopathy. The kidneys do handle some ammonia excretion, but this is secondary to hepatic detoxification, and the spleen and pancreas do not play major roles in ammonia metabolism.