Merck, O6503-25G, L-Ornithine monohydrochloride

General description
L-Ornithine is the functional metabolite of L-arginine.
L-Ornithine is an amino acid that is not coded for by the genetic code. It is formed during the decomposition of argininine by arginase and participates in the urea cycle. Ornithine is the starting point for the formation of a family of polyamines that include spermine, spermidine and putrescine.
Application
L-Ornithine monohydrochloride has been used:
as a supplement in Dulbecco′s modified eagle medium (DMEM) for cell growth assays
as a component in the standard medium for primary human hepatocytes (PHH) culture
as a creatine synthesis inhibitor

Biochem/physiol Actions
L-ornithine acts as a precursor for polyamines. It may modulate the intake of food as an acute satiety signal in the neonatal chick brain.
L-Ornithine is used as a media supplement to support the biosynthesis of polyamines.
Other Notes
Product of arginine degradation by arginase