Effect of atmospheric ammonia on mortality rate of rats with barbiturate intoxication.

Ammonia inhalation (0.84-1.07 mg/liter, 3 h) was accompanied by a 65% increase in ammonia concentration in mixed blood of intact rats.

Hyperammoniemia in rats with barbiturate coma.

Sodium thiopental in the comatogenic (but not soporogenic) dose caused hyperammoniemia in rats. Blood ammonium level increased 3-fold within 3 h and 5-fold within 18 h. Blood urea level increased by one-third within 18 h against the background of unchanged creatinine level and hematocrit.