PROTOCOL OUTLINE: This protocol involves 2 clinical studies. Part A is a metabolic study of glutamine conversion to urea at different levels of protein intake, while on and off medications. Part B is a dose escalation study of a first-generation adenoviral vector with an E1 deletion and an E3 deletion substitution (d1309) expressing ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC).

In Part A, diet is controlled for protein and calories. Intravenous glutamine and urea are administered. Controls are given intravenous arginine, phenylacetate, and benzoate.

In Part B, groups of 3 patients are given a single low, intermediate, or high dose of intravenous OTC vector. Allopurinol is administered every 12 hours for 12 days. As of 12/10/1999, Part B of the study is closed.

PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA:

Part A. Patients at least 6 months old with ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTC), i.e.: Hemizygous OTC or homozygous autosomal recessive disorder with evidence of complete enzyme deficiency Hemizygous OTC male with late presentation and presumed evidence for residual enzyme activity OTC heterozygotes (molecular diagnosis) with severely symptomatic to asymptomatic disease Obligate heterozygotes for autosomal recessive disorder (parent or genotyped sibling) Normal adult volunteers and genotyped siblings entered as controls Part B. Metabolically stable heterozygous OTC females aged 18 to under 65 Orotic acid level at least 5 times normal on allopurinol Symptoms ranging from severe to asymptomatic acceptable No prior hospitalization for hyperammonemia Exclusion criteria (Parts A and B): Acute or chronic intercurrent illness Pregnancy Acute hyperammonemia