Effect of ammonium chloride on the astrocyte benzodiazepine receptor

Abstract

We have carried out studies on the effect of ammonium chloride on the astrocyte benzodiazepine receptor. Scatchard analysis of the binding of [ 3H]Ro-5-4864 to homogenates prepared from primary astrocyte cultures showed a significant decrease in K d (27% with 2 mM NH 4Cl; 32% with 5 mM NH 4Cl; 25% with 10 mM NH 4Cl) and B max (14% with 10 mM NH 4Cl). These findings indicate that ammonium chloride can affect the astrocyte benzodiazepine receptor, and that such receptor changes may contribute to ammonia-induced encephalopathy.