Why Ammonia Is Converted to Urea

Ammonia, a breakdown product of nitrogen metabolism, has toxic effects within the body. The liver converts it to urea for excretion in the urine.

Protein Metabolism

• The digestion of protein produces nitrogen, which leads to the formation of ammonia, which then enters the urea cycle, a stepwise series of reactions that convert it to urea.

Liver Function

• As the organ that coverts ammonia to urea, the liver plays a key role in lowering ammonia levels. Liver damage or disease like cirrhosis can disrupt the urea cycle, resulting in higher ammonia levels.

Kidney Function

• Acute and chronic kidney failure can interfere with the normal formation and excretion of urine, which can lead to higher blood urea levels. Urinary tract obstruction and congestive heart failure can have the same result.

Inherited Disorders

• Another reason for problems in urea formation involve hereditary conditions such as enzyme defects in the urea cycle. Because no alternative methods for urea formation exists, blockage of the urea cycle can have fatal results.

Effects of High Ammonia

• The toxic effects of high levels of ammonia include severe liver damage, coma and mental retardation.