Dexamethasone induces an imbalanced fetal-placental-maternal bile acid circulation: involvement of placental transporters.

By affecting placental BA transporters, dexamethasone induces an imbalanced fetal-placental-maternal BA circulation, as showed by the increase of primary BA levels in the fetal serum. This study provides an important experimental and theoretical basis for elucidating the mechanism of dexamethasone-induced alteration of maternal and fetal BA metabolism and for exploring early prevention and treatment strategies.