"L-ornithine chlorhydrate" and "ornithine chlorhydrate" refer to the hydrochloride salt form of L-ornithine, which is used to stabilize the amino acid for various purposes, including supplementation and research. The addition of "chlorhydrate" (more commonly referred to as hydrochloride in English) indicates that the ornithine is combined with hydrochloric acid to form a salt. This process often improves the solubility and stability of the compound, making it easier to handle and consume.
The key difference between the two terms lies in the specification of the "L-" prefix:
L-ornithine chlorhydrate specifies the biologically active form (L-form) of ornithine combined with hydrochloric acid. As mentioned earlier, the L-form is the one that is active in human metabolism, particularly in the urea cycle and in the synthesis of other amino acids like arginine. By stating "L-ornithine," it is clear that the compound is the enantiomer that is utilized in human biochemistry.
Ornithine chlorhydrate. While this term refers to the hydrochloride salt of ornithine, the absence of the "L-" prefix does not explicitly specify the enantiomeric form. However, in the context of dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals, ornithine is almost always provided in the L-form because that is the form active in human metabolism. The omission of the "L-" prefix might be due to naming conventions or the assumption that the L-form is understood in the context of human biochemistry and nutrition.
In practical terms, when "ornithine chlorhydrate" is mentioned without the "L-" prefix in the context of supplements or health products, it typically refers to L-ornithine chlorhydrate. The hydrochloride form is used to enhance the compound's stability and solubility, making it more effective for consumption and absorption by the body.
In summary, both "L-ornithine chlorhydrate" and "ornithine chlorhydrate" usually refer to the same compound, the biologically active L-form of ornithine as a hydrochloride salt, with the former term being more precise in specifying the enantiomeric form.
L-ornithine hydrochloride is a chemical compound primarily used as a dietary supplement and in medical settings for its beneficial properties, particularly in supporting the urea cycle and promoting liver regeneration. Here's an overview of its applications.
- Support for the Urea Cycle. L-ornithine hydrochloride plays a key role in the urea cycle, a metabolic process that helps eliminate ammonia, a toxic waste product, by converting it into urea, which is then excreted from the body through urine. This makes L-ornithine hydrochloride important for maintaining liver functionality and preventing the buildup of harmful substances in the body (1).
- Effects on Metabolism and Muscle Growth. Some studies suggest that L-ornithine hydrochloride can have positive effects on metabolism and muscle growth, thanks to its ability to stimulate the release of growth hormone. This makes it a popular supplement among athletes and those looking to improve body composition and physical performance (2).
- Improvement of Sleep Quality and Reduction of Fatigue. L-ornithine hydrochloride has also been associated with improvements in sleep quality and the reduction of fatigue. This can be particularly beneficial for people living stressful lifestyles or who have difficulty achieving adequate rest (3).
Safety and Dosage. As with any supplement, it's important to consider the safety and correct dosage of L-ornithine hydrochloride. Although generally well-tolerated, it's always advisable to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement, especially for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions or those taking other medications.
In summary, L-ornithine hydrochloride is a compound with a variety of potential health benefits, from detoxification and liver support to enhancing physical performance and overall well-being. However, it's important to underscore the significance of scientific research and professional medical advice in determining its efficacy and safety for each individual.
References_____________________________________________________________________
(1) Demura, S., Morishita, K., Yamada, T., Yamaji, S., & Komatsu, M. (2011). Effect of L-ornithine hydrochloride ingestion on intermittent maximal anaerobic cycle ergometer performance and fatigue recovery after exercise. European journal of applied physiology, 111, 2837-2843.
Abstract. L-Ornithine plays an important role in ammonia metabolism via the urea cycle. This study aimed to examine the effect of L-ornithine hydrochloride ingestion on ammonia metabolism and performance after intermittent maximal anaerobic cycle ergometer exercise. Ten healthy young adults (age, 23.8 ± 3.9 year; height, 172.3 ± 5.5 cm; body mass, 67.7 ± 6.1 kg) with regular training experience ingested L-ornithine hydrochloride (0.1 g/kg, body mass) or placebo after 30 s of maximal cycling exercise. Five sets of the same maximal cycling exercise were conducted 60 min after ingestion, and maximal cycling exercise was conducted after a 15 min rest. The intensity of cycling exercise was based on each subject’s body mass (0.74 N kg−1). Work volume (watt), peak rpm (rpm) before and after intermittent maximal ergometer exercise and the following serum parameters were measured before ingestion, immediately after exercise and 15 min after exercise: ornithine, ammonia, urea, lactic acid and glutamate. Peak rpm was significantly greater with L-ornithine hydrochloride ingestion than with placebo ingestion. Serum ornithine level was significantly greater with L-ornithine hydrochloride ingestion than with placebo ingestion immediately and 15 min after intermittent maximal cycle ergometer exercise. In conclusion, although maximal anaerobic performance may be improved by L-ornithine hydrochloride ingestion before intermittent maximal anaerobic cycle ergometer exercise, the above may not depend on increase of ammonia metabolism with L-ornithine hydrochloride.
(2) Demura, S., Yamada, T., Yamaji, S., Komatsu, M., & Morishita, K. (2010). The effect of L-ornithine hydrochloride ingestion on performance during incremental exhaustive ergometer bicycle exercise and ammonia metabolism during and after exercise. European journal of clinical nutrition, 64(10), 1166-1171.
Abstract. Objectives: L-ornithine has an important role in ammonia metabolism via the urea cycle. This study aimed to examine the effect of L-ornithine hydrochloride ingestion on performance during incremental exhaustive ergometer bicycle exercise and ammonia metabolism during and after exercise....Results:Plasma ammonia concentrations just after exhaustion and at 15 min after exhaustion were significantly more with ornithine ingestion than with placebo. Plasma glutamate concentrations were significantly higher after exhaustion with ornithine ingestion than with placebo. Conclusions: It was suggested that, although the ingestion of L-ornithine hydrochloride before the exercise cannot be expected to improve performance, it does increase the ability to buffer ammonia, both during and after exercise.
(3) Sugino, T., Shirai, T., Kajimoto, Y., & Kajimoto, O. (2008). L-ornithine supplementation attenuates physical fatigue in healthy volunteers by modulating lipid and amino acid metabolism. Nutrition research, 28(11), 738-743.
Abstract. We examined the effects of l-ornithine administration on physical fatigue. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-way crossover study, 17 healthy volunteers were randomized to l-ornithine (2000 mg/d for 7 days and 6000 mg/d for 1 day as l-ornithine hydrochloride) or placebo for 8 days. The fatigue-inducing physical task consisted of workload trials on a cycle ergometer at fixed workloads for 2 hours on 2 occasions. We found that oral l-ornithine administration promoted lipid metabolism and activated the urea cycle from serum triacylglycerol, ketone bodies, free fatty acids, and blood ammonia level changing. l-ornithine significantly attenuated the subjective feeling of fatigue (measured by visual analog scale at postrecovery) compared with postload (P < .01). Moreover, in female subjects, the subjective feeling of fatigue was significantly lower compared with the placebo group (P < .05). In the physical performance test in female subjects, the decrease in mean speed for 10 seconds maximum pedaling from 0.5- to 3.5-hour trials in the group receiving l-ornithine was smaller than that in the group receiving placebo (P < .05). These results suggest that l-ornithine has an antifatigue effect by increasing the efficiency of energy consumption and promoting the excretion of ammonia. l-ornithine is a free amino acid and is not rich in meats or fish, so it is difficult to obtain amounts of l-ornithine from ordinary meals that would be sufficient to promote the antifatigue effect. We recommend l-ornithine intake as a nutritional supplement in cases of physical fatigue.
L-ornithine chlorhydrate 
