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Ornithine Alpha-Ketoglutarate

En Español (Spanish Version)

Principal Proposed Uses

Recovery From Severe Injury

Other Proposed Uses

Liver Cirrhosis; Sports Supplement

Sources
Therapeutic Dosages
Therapeutic Uses
Safety Issues
References

Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG) is manufactured from two amino acids, ornithine and glutamine. These amino acids are called “conditionally essential.” This means that ordinarily one does not need to consume them in food because the body can manufacture them from other nutrients. However, during periods of severe stress, such as recovery from major trauma or severe illness, the body may not be able to manufacture them in sufficient quantities, and may require an external source.

Ornithine and glutamine are thought to have anabolic effects, meaning that they stimulate the body to build muscle and other tissues. These amino acids also appear to have anti-catabolic effects. This is a closely related but slightly different property; ornithine and glutamine appear to block the effect of hormones that break down muscle and other tissues (catabolic hormones).

Evidence suggests that use of OKG (and related amino acids) may offer benefits for hospitalized patients recovering from serious illness or injury.

Based on these findings (and a leap of logic), OKG has been extensively marketed as a sports supplement for helping to build muscle. However, the fact that OKG helps seriously ill people build muscle does not mean that it will have the same effect in athletes, and there is no direct evidence to indicate that it does.

Sources

The amino acids that make up OKG are found in high-protein foods such as meat, fish, and dairy products. Supplements are available in tablet or pill form.

Therapeutic Dosages

A typical dose of OKG is 5 to 25 g daily. It may be necessary to increase dosage slowly to avoid digestive upset.

Therapeutic Uses

OKG may play a role in the treatment of individuals recovering from severe physical trauma.

When the body experiences severe trauma—such as injury, major surgery, or burns—it goes into what is called a catabolic state. In this temporary condition, the body tends to tear itself down rather than build itself up. The catabolic hormone cortisone plays a major role in inducing catabolism. In the catabolic state, the body fails to utilize protein found in the diet, and high levels of protein breakdown products appear in the urine. Calcium levels in urine also rise, as bones begin to weaken.

The opposite of a catabolic state is an anabolic state, in which the body tends to build itself up. Studies of hospitalized patients recovering from severe illnesses or injuries suggest that OKG blocks the catabolic effects of cortisone and also directly stimulates anabolic activity.^4-10 It is not clear how OKG accomplishes this. It may directly affect the enzymes involved in hormone metabolism. Another possibility is that OKG may increase levels of growth hormone (an anabolic hormone), at least when it is taken in high enough doses (12 mg a day or more).^11-13 It has also been suggested that OKG increases insulin release, which would have anabolic effects; however, this has been disputed.¹⁴

Based on these findings, OKG has become popular as a bodybuilding supplement. However, there are no reported double-blind studies of OKG alone as a sports supplement. One study evaluated a combined arginine and ornithine supplement and found some evidence of benefit.¹⁵

OKG and a related substance ornithine-l-aspartate have shown some promise for hepatic encephalopathy, a life-threatening complication of liver cirrhosis.^16,17

Safety Issues

Because it is simply ornithine and glutamine, OKG is presumably safe. However, high doses (over 5 to10 g) can cause diarrhea and stomach cramps. The maximum safe dosages for young children, women who are pregnant or nursing, or those with serious liver or kidney disease have not been established.

Donati L, Ziegler F, Pongelli G, et al. Nutritional and clinical efficacy of ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate in severe burn patients. Clin Nutr. 1999;18:307–311.

Jeevanandam M, Holaday NJ, Petersen SR. Ornithine-alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG) supplementation is more effective than its component salts in traumatized rats. J Nutr. 1996;126:2141–2150.

Le Bricon T, Cynober L, Baracos VE. Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate limits muscle protein breakdown without stimulating tumor growth in rats bearing Yoshida ascites hepatoma. Metabolism. 1994;43:899–905.

De Bandt JP, Cynober LA. Amino acids with anabolic properties. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 1998;1:263-272

Brocker P, Vellas B, Albarede J, et al. A two-centre, randomized, double-blind trial of ornithine oxoglutarate in 194 elderly, ambulatory, convalescent subjects. Age Aging. 1994;23:303–306.

Coudray-Lucas C, Le Bever H, Cynober L, et al. Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate improves wound healing in severe burn patients: a prospective randomized double-blind trial versus isonitrogenous controls. Crit Care Med. 2000;28:1772-1776.

Cynober LA. The use of alpha-ketoglutarate salts in clinical nutrition and metabolic care. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 1999;2(1):33-37.

Donati L, et al. Nutritional and clinical efficacy of ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate in severe burn patients. Clin Nutr. 1999;18:307–311.

Neu J, DeMarco V, Li N. Glutamine: clinical applications and mechanisms of action. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2002;5:69-75.

Reynolds TM. The future of nutrition and wound healing. J Tissue Viability. 2001;11(1):5-13.

Bucci L, Hickson JF, Pivarnik JM, et al. Ornithine ingestion and growth hormone release in bodybuilders. Nutr Res. 1990;10:239–245.

Fogelholm GM, Naveri HK, Kiilavuori KT, et al. Low-dose amino acid supplementation: no effects on serum human growth hormone and insulin in male weightlifters. Int J Sport Nutr. 1993;3:290–297.

Lambert MI, Hefer JA, Millar RP, et al. Failure of commercial oral amino acid supplements to increase serum growth hormone concentrations in male body-builders. Int J Sport Nutr. 1993;3:298–305.

Bucci LR, Hickson JF, Wolinsky I, et al. Ornithine supplementation and insulin release in bodybuilders. Int J Sport Nutr. 1992;2:287-291

Elam RP, Hardin DH, Sutton RA, et al. Effects of arginine and ornithine on strength, lean body mass and urinary hydroxyproline in adult males. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1989;29:52–56.

Kircheis G, Wettstein M, Dahl S, et al. Clinical efficacy of L-ornithine-L-aspartate in the management of hepatic encephalopathy. Metab Brain Dis. 2002;17:453–462.

Jiang Q, Jiang XH, Zheng MH, et al. L-Ornithine-l-aspartate in the management of hepatic encephalopathy: A meta-analysis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008 Sep 24.

Last reviewed July 2012 by EBSCO CAM Review Board

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.