Orotic acid (orotate) is classified as a pyrimidinemonocarboxylic acid. Most urinary orotic acid is synthesized in the body, where it arises as an intermediate in the pathway for the synthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides. It originates from l-glutamine, which is obtained from protein sources such as red meat and eggs in the diet. L-glutamine is metabolized to orotate in the liver. L-glutamine is first converted to carbamoyl phosphate then to N-Carbamoyl-L-aspartate and finally to dihydroorotate by the CAD protein (carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 2, aspartate transcarbamylase, and dihydroorotase). Dihydroorotate is converted to orotate in the mitochondria of the cell via the enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase. Orotate can enter the bloodstream where it exerts detrimental effects on other systems. A build up of orotate in the body leads to acidosis which can have detrimental effects on other systems in the body causing renal failure, neurotoxicity, endothelial dysfunction and hypertension.

Metabolism and Physiological Effects of Orotic acid References