UREA METABOLISM IN MAN*

Abstract
Urea labeled with N15 or C14 was injected intravenously into normal subjects and its disappearance from blood and urine was observed. The calculated rate of urea production exceeded the measured rate of urea excretion by 20%. Approximately 1/4 of the labeled urea was not recovered in the urine. The true rate of breakdown is probably greater, since there was evidence that labeled atoms of N15, and possibly C14, were reincorporated. Following oral neomycin administration, urinary recovery of C14-labeled urea became nearly complete. Apparently at least 1/4 of synthesized urea is continuously being hydrolyzed by intestinal bacteria in normal subjects.

This publication has 14 references indexed in Scilit: