OKG

Related Terms

2-Oxoglutaric acid, 2-oxopentanedoicic acid, 3-methylhistidine, AAKG, ac?toglutarate (French), acide 2-oxoglutarique (French), acide a-c?toglutarique (French), acide alpha-c?toglutarique (French), AKG, alanine, alfa-cetoglutarato (Spanish), alpha keto glutarate, alpha ketoglutarate, alpha KG, alpha-c?toglutarate (French), alpha-c?toglutarate d'arginine (French), alpha-c?toglutarate de calcium (French), alpha-c?toglutarate de cr?atine (French), alpha-c?toglutarate de glutamine (French), alpha-c?toglutarate de L-arginine (French), alpha-c?toglutarate de L-leucine (French), alpha-c?toglutarate de taurine (French), alpha-cetoglutarate d'ornithine (French), alpha-ketoacid, alpha-ketoanalogs, alpha-ketoglutarate, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (KGDHC), alpha-ketoglutarate-pyridoxine complex, alpha-ketoglutaric acid, alpha-ketoisocaproate, alpha-ketoisovalerate, alpha-ketomethylvalerate, ammonia, arginine, arginine alpha-ketoglutarate, arginine aspartate, calcium alpha-ketoglutarate (Ca-ket), c?toglutarate d'ornithine (French), Cetornan?, creatine alpha-ketoglutarate (creatine AKG), diarginine alpha-ketoglutarate, glutamate, glutamine, glutamine alpha-ketoglutarate, glycine, histidine, hydroxyproline, L-arginine, L-leucine alpha-ketoglutarate, L-lysine alpha-ketoglutarate reductase, L-ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate, L(+)-ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate, lysine, malate-oxalacetate, OAKG, OGO, OKG, Ornicetil?, ornithine, ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate, ornithine oxoglutarate, ornitina cetoglutarato (Spanish), oxoglutarate, phenylalanine, polyamines, proline, putrescine, pyridoxine AKG (PAK), pyruvate, pyruvic acid, spermine, spermidine, taurine alpha-ketoglutarate, tyrosine.

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.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Severe burn injury may lead to problems with metabolism, nitrogen imbalance, and low energy and protein reserves. Numerous studies suggest that OKG may help severe burn patients by regulating protein metabolism and maintaining nitrogen balance and nutritional status. Delivering OKG via a tube through the nose to the stomach may improve wound healing time and shorten the duration of tube feeding in burn patients.

 A


Severe burn injury may lead to problems with metabolism, nitrogen imbalance, and low energy and protein reserves. Numerous studies suggest that OKG may help severe burn patients by regulating protein metabolism and maintaining nitrogen balance and nutritional status. Delivering OKG via a tube through the nose to the stomach may improve wound healing time and shorten the duration of tube feeding in burn patients.

 A


Early studies suggest that OKG may benefit elderly people who are ill. More research is needed.

 C


Early studies suggest that OKG may benefit elderly people who are ill. More research is needed.

 C


Early studies suggest that OKG may prevent nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, and that these benefits may equal those of the drug metoclopramide, in people who are treated with the cancer medications cisplatin or Adriamycin. More research is needed.

 C


Early studies suggest that OKG may prevent nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, and that these benefits may equal those of the drug metoclopramide, in people who are treated with the cancer medications cisplatin or Adriamycin. More research is needed.

 C


In early studies, OKG had a lack of effect on coma associated with liver disease. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


In early studies, OKG had a lack of effect on coma associated with liver disease. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Research suggests that OKG therapy may help improve and balance nitrogen levels after an injury or trauma. OKG is known to enhance metabolism and improve cell immunity, as well as stimulate important hormones such as insulin and growth hormone. Further research is needed.

 C


Research suggests that OKG therapy may help improve and balance nitrogen levels after an injury or trauma. OKG is known to enhance metabolism and improve cell immunity, as well as stimulate important hormones such as insulin and growth hormone. Further research is needed.

 C


Early studies show that OKG had a lack of benefit on brain disorders and worsened the condition of patients. The information that is available comes from low-quality studies. More research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Early studies show that OKG had a lack of benefit on brain disorders and worsened the condition of patients. The information that is available comes from low-quality studies. More research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Early studies suggest that OKG may improve growth in children before puberty, but there is currently not enough evidence. More research is needed.

 C


Early studies suggest that OKG may improve growth in children before puberty, but there is currently not enough evidence. More research is needed.

 C


There are a limited number of studies involving the use of OKG for improving nutrition and immune function in HIV-positive people. More research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


There are a limited number of studies involving the use of OKG for improving nutrition and immune function in HIV-positive people. More research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Early research suggests that OKG may benefit elderly people who have bedsores. More research is needed.

 C


Early research suggests that OKG may benefit elderly people who have bedsores. More research is needed.

 C


Few studies have looked at the potential benefits of OKG on recovery after surgery. Limited evidence suggests that OKG may improve the production of muscle protein during the recovery period. However, more research is needed.

 C


Few studies have looked at the potential benefits of OKG on recovery after surgery. Limited evidence suggests that OKG may improve the production of muscle protein during the recovery period. However, more research is needed.

 C


Few studies have looked at the effect of OKG in stroke recovery. There is some evidence that OKG may initially improve stroke recovery. More research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Few studies have looked at the effect of OKG in stroke recovery. There is some evidence that OKG may initially improve stroke recovery. More research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
The use of OKG should be supervised by a physician.
To treat acute illness in elderly people, 10 grams of OKG has been taken by mouth once daily for two months.
To treat burns, 10 grams of OKG has been given via stomach tube 1-3 times daily for up to three weeks.
To improve nitrogen balance after illness, 20 grams of OKG has been given along with nutrition via stomach tube beginning 48-60 hours after injury and continuing for four days.
To aid recovery after surgery, 10 grams of OKG (Cetornan?) diluted in flavored water has been taken by mouth during lunch and dinner five days before and 10 days after surgery. A dose of 20 grams of OKG has been used in two divided doses daily for two months. A dose of 20 grams of OKG has been given via stomach tube daily for one month. A dose of 0.35 grams per kilogram of OKG has been given along with nutrition through the veins for three days after stomach surgery.
To treat pressure ulcers, 10 grams of OKG has been used daily for six weeks.
To aid recovery after trauma or injury, 25 grams of OKG has been given along with nutrition through the veins daily or taken by mouth along with feeding with a stomach tube.
To treat the side effects of chemotherapy, 10 grams per square meter of OKG has been given through the veins as a single dose.
To treat trauma or injury, 25 grams of OKG has been given along with nutrition through the veins daily, or taken by mouth along with feeding via stomach tube for a short period.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
OKG may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. People taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
OKG may also interact with agents that may affect the liver, agents that may affect the immune system, agents that may affect the nervous system, agents that may enhance muscle strength, agents that may treat HIV, agents that may treat skin conditions, agents that may treat stomach conditions, growth hormone, mood stabilizers, and wound-healing agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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