The effect of ornithine-α-ketoglutarate on insulin and glucagon secretion in normal subjects

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Abstract
Ornithine-.alpha.-ketoglutarate (OAK), a drug commonly used in various catabolic states [hepatic encephalopathy] was studied for its acute effects on endocrine pancreas. A 30 min infusion of OAK (20 g/m2) induced significant increases in insulin levels (from 15-60 min) and in glucagon levels (from 15-90 min). OAK-induced insulin and glucagon responses were lower than after a 0.5 g/kg arginine infusion. The fluctuations of blood glucose levels were much less marked during OAK infusion than during arginine and especially the late fall was less evident.