Hepatic ornithine aminotransferase in the rat after portacaval shunt

L-Ornithine (2-oxoacid aminotransferase, OKT) has been determined in the livers of portacaval shunt (PCS) rats, submitted to different diets, influencing blood brain amino acid transport. OKT activity was not greatly influenced by PCS. An in vivo stimulatory effect by branched chain amino acids and arginine could not be observed or confirmed by amino acid analysis in liver tissue. However, after the addition of glucose to the diet, a significant drop of OKT activity occurred.