Role of arginase in sciatectomized muscle

Substrate kinetics of arginase were investigated in normal and sciatectomized gastrocnemius muscle of frog. Sciatectomized muscle arginase showed 47% elevation in V while Km showed no change. Sciatectomic activation of muscle arginase accounted for the stepped up urea levels which may be of significant use in combating ammonia toxicity and maintaining chemohomeostasis.