Ornithine is an amino acid that plays a central role in the urea cycle, a crucial metabolic process that helps the body eliminate ammonia, a toxic byproduct of protein metabolism. Unlike most amino acids, ornithine is not used to build proteins. Instead, it serves primarily as an intermediary in the urea cycle, facilitating the conversion of ammonia into urea, which is then excreted from the body through urine.

The urea cycle is a series of biochemical reactions that occur mainly in the liver. Ornithine combines with ammonia and carbon dioxide to form citrulline and eventually urea, the body’s main vehicle for removing nitrogenous waste. This cycle is essential for maintaining the nitrogen balance in the body and for preventing the accumulation of ammonia in the blood, which can be detrimental to the central nervous system and lead to serious health issues.

In addition to its role in the urea cycle, ornithine is also involved in other metabolic pathways. It is a precursor to arginine, another amino acid that has various physiological roles, including the production of nitric oxide, a vital compound for blood vessel dilation and improved blood flow. Ornithine supplementation has been studied for potential benefits in areas such as wound healing, exercise performance, and promoting healthy sleep patterns, owing to its role in these metabolic processes.

Ornithine’s importance in metabolism and potential health benefits has made it a subject of interest in nutritional science and supplement industries, where it is marketed for various health claims, including enhancing liver function, supporting detoxification, and improving athletic performance. However, it’s always important to approach supplementation with caution and seek advice from healthcare professionals.

Ornithine (Wikipedia)

Ornithine is a non-proteinogenic α-amino acid that plays a role in the urea cycle. Ornithine is abnormally accumulated in the body in ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency. The radical is ornithyl.

l-Ornithine

Names
IUPAC name L-Ornithine
Other names (+)-(S)-2,5-Diaminovaleric acid (+)-(S)-2,5-Diaminopentanoic acid
Identifiers
CAS Number	70-26-8 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:15729 N
ChEMBL	ChEMBL446143 Y
ChemSpider	6026 Y
DrugBank	DB00129 N
ECHA InfoCard	100.000.665
EC Number	200-731-7
IUPHAR/BPS	725
KEGG	D08302 Y
MeSH	Ornithine
PubChem CID	389
UNII	E524N2IXA3 Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID00883219
InChI InChI=1S/C5H12N2O2/c6-3-1-2-4(7)5(8)9/h4H,1-3,6-7H2,(H,8,9)/t4-/m0/s1 Y Key: AHLPHDHHMVZTML-BYPYZUCNSA-N Y InChI=1/C5H12N2O2/c6-3-1-2-4(7)5(8)9/h4H,1-3,6-7H2,(H,8,9)/t4-/m0/s1 InChI=1/C5H12N2O2/c6-3-1-2-4(7)5(8)9/h4H,1-3,6-7H2,(H,8,9)/t4-/m0/s1 Key: AHLPHDHHMVZTML-BYPYZUCNBZ
SMILES O=C(O)[C@@H](N)CCCN
Properties
Chemical formula	C5H12N2O2
Molar mass	132.16 g/mol
Melting point	140 °C (284 °F; 413 K)
Solubility in water	soluble
Solubility	soluble in ethanol
Acidity (pKa)	1.94
Chiral rotation ([α]D)	+11.5 (H2O, c = 6.5)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references