Could ornithine supplementation be beneficial to prevent the formation of pro-atherogenic carbamylated low-density lipoprotein (c-LDL) particles?

Carbamylation (or carbamoylation) is a non-enzymatic post-translational modification process of lysine residues and protein N-termini, which occurs throughout the lifespan of both various plasma proteins and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles. Carbamylation results from the binding of isocyanates spontaneously derived from high levels of blood urea, environmental pollutants, nutritional sources and leads to the formation of potentially atherogenic carbamylated-LDL (c-LDL) particles. The carbamylation of LDL apolipoproteins is associated unfavorable downstream effects. Ornithine is a non-proteinogenic amino acid, which plays a central role at the urea cycle function. The primary use of ornithine in supplements is to support athletic performance, liver function and wound recovery. Ornithine is structurally highly similar to lysine, and is only one carbon atom shorter in its side-chain. Therefore, we hypothesize that supplemented ornithine could compete with ε-amino groups of lysine residues found in apolipoproteins of native LDL particles in their binding to isocyanates and decrease c-LDL formation. This issue still remains unresolved in current literature and needs to be elucidated in experimental studies.