Background

• Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG) is not found naturally in the body. It is made from combining two amino acids, ornithine and alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG), which are thought to have important roles in metabolism.
• OKG has been used for treating burns and wounds, to promote the production of muscle protein following trauma, stroke, or surgery, and to promote growth in children who are fed via intravenous tube for the long term (called long-term total parenteral nutrition, or TPN). It has been studied for recovery from major trauma or illness, as well as for brain disease. It is also often used to improve athletic performance or to build muscle, although more research is needed to confirm these effects.

References

1. Alexander JW, Goodman HR, Succop P, et al. Influence of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and ornithine concentrations on complications after renal transplant. Exp.Clin.Transplant. 2008;6(2):118-126. View Abstract
2. Bowtell JL, Bruce M. Glutamine: An anaplerotic precursor. EBM Reviews - Cochrane Central Register of Controlled TrialsNutrition. 2002;18:222-224.
3. Bruce M, Constantin-Teodosiu D, Greenhaff PL, et al. Glutamine supplementation promotes anaplerosis but not oxidative energy delivery in human skeletal muscle. Am.J.Physiol Endocrinol.Metab 2001;280(4):E669-E675. View Abstract
4. Cynober L. Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate as a potent precursor of arginine and nitric oxide: a new job for an old friend. J.Nutr. 2004;134(10 Suppl):2858S-2862S. View Abstract
5. De Bandt JP, Coudray-Lucas C, Lioret N, et al. A randomized controlled trial of the influence of the mode of enteral ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate administration in burn patients. J.Nutr. 1998;128(3):563-569. View Abstract
6. Donati L, Ziegler F, Pongelli G, et al. Nutritional and clinical efficacy of ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate in severe burn patients. Clin.Nutr. 1999;18(5):307-311. View Abstract
7. Dorf G. Anorexia of aging. Am.J.Clin.Nutr. 1998;68(3):758. View Abstract
8. Jeevanandam M. and Petersen SR. Substrate fuel kinetics in enterally fed trauma patients supplemented with ornithine alpha ketoglutarate. Clin.Nutr. 1999;18(4):209-217. View Abstract
9. Karsegard VL, Raguso CA, Genton L, et al. L-ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate in HIV infection: effects on muscle, gastrointestinal, and immune functions. Nutrition 2004;20(6):515-520. View Abstract
10. Meaume S, Kerihuel JC, Constans T, et al. Efficacy and safety of ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate in heel pressure ulcers in elderly patients: results of a randomized controlled trial. J.Nutr.Health Aging 2009;13(7):623-630. View Abstract
11. Neu J, DeMarco V, and Li N. Glutamine: clinical applications and mechanisms of action. Curr.Opin.Clin.Nutr.Metab Care 2002;5(1):69-75. View Abstract
12. Reynolds TM. The future of nutrition and wound healing. J.Tissue Viability. 2001;11(1):5-13. View Abstract
13. Rutten EP, Engelen MP, Schols AM, et al. Skeletal muscle glutamate metabolism in health and disease: state of the art. Curr.Opin.Clin.Nutr.Metab Care 2005;8(1):41-51. View Abstract
14. Walrand S. Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate: could it be a new therapeutic option for sarcopenia? J.Nutr.Health Aging 2010;14(7):570-577. View Abstract
15. Zur Nieden HC, Pullen R, Fusgen I. Treatment of decubital ulcers in geriatric patients with ornithine- oxoglutarate - A randomized, double-blind pilot study. European Journal of Geriatrics. 1999;1:144-147.