High Concentrations of Ammonia, But Not Volatile Amines, in Gastric Juice of Subjects with Helicobacter pylori Infection

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) produces large amounts of ammonia. Based on higher readings obtained with an ammonia-sensitive electrode when compared to a specific enzymatic assay, it has been claimed that H. pylori also produces potentially toxic volatile amines. METHOD: We measured ammonia concentrations (NH3) in gastric aspirates from 11 H. pylori positive subjects (22-40 y, 6 M), using an ammonia electrode sensitive to ammonia …