[3-Hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase in the liver mitochondria of rats and chickens]

The activity of mitochondrial 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.30) in rat and chicken liver was found to be comparable with the activity of electron transport chain of rat liver mitochondria. This activity is absent in chicken liver mitochondria, which are devoid of the 3-hydroxybutyrate oxidase activity. Both types of mitochondria have nearly identical respiration parameters but respond differently to Mg2+. It was assumed that chicken liver mitochondria are characterized by a low rate of fatty acids oxidation due to the absence of 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase in these organelles.