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High 3-hydroxybutyrate concentrations in the placenta-produced amniotic fluid in the human uterus

2023-08-13 obstetrics and gynecology Title + abstract only
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In this study, we report first high concentrations of a ketone body, 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) in the amniotic fluid in humans. Although 3HB concentrations in the maternal blood are approximately 0.1, those in the amniotic fluid are approximately 0.6 mM. High placental 3HB production is potentially key for producing and maintaining high 3HB levels in the amniotic fluid. The rate-limiting enzyme, mitochondrial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase 2 (HMGCS2), is highly expressed in the cells of t...

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