Magnesium deficiency and urea cycle enzymes in rat liver.

Abstract

SummaryA statistically significant decrease in ornithine transcarbamylase in livers of magnesium deficient rats is reported. Since such an isolated enzymatic deficiency has usually been described in conditions where increased synthesis of pyrimidines is required and in view of certain manifestations of protein deficiency present in the experimental animals, this enzymatic alteration suggests the possibility of an increased incorporation of carbamyl phosphate into pyrimidine precursors in an attempt to compensate for a deranged protein anabolism.