Urea Cycle (enhancement via arginine supplementation) (None)

The urea cycle is a critical metabolic pathway in the liver responsible for converting toxic ammonia, a byproduct of amino acid metabolism, into urea for safe excretion in urine. Arginine is both an intermediate and a regulator within this cycle. Supplementation with arginine can enhance urea cycle function, particularly under conditions where endogenous arginine synthesis or availability is limited. Supplemental arginine increases substrate availability, promoting more efficient conversion of ammonia into urea, reducing hyperammonemia risk. Enhanced flux through the urea cycle may also support anabolic processes. Oral or intravenous administration of L-arginine is used clinically as adjunct therapy in certain inherited disorders of the urea cycle to improve nitrogen disposal capacity.

Arginine supplementation increases substrate availability for the urea cycle, enhancing the conversion of ammonia to urea.