Given that hypothermia results from heat loss that outstrips the body's rate of thermogenesis, and that the main effect of uncoupling agents like 2, 4-Dinitrophenol is to greatly increase the rate of thermogenesis to far above its normal range, could 2, 4-DNP and \ or other uncouplers be useful in counteracting severe hypothermia?
32.
Uncoupling proteins play a role in normal physiology, as in cold exposure or hibernation, because the energy is used to generate heat ( see thermogenesis ) instead of producing ATP . However, other substances, such as 2, 4-dinitrophenol and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone, also serve the same uncoupling function, and are considered poisonous.
