HYPERTHYROIDISM AND MITOCHONDRIAL UNCOUPLING

During the past years many efforts have been made to elucidate the ori gin of the uncoupling mechanisms induced by hyperthyroidism in mitocho ndria. Two main mechanisms have been proposed: a classical protonophor ic uncoupler mechanism, considering the action of thyroid hormones at the level of the lipid membrane bilayer, and a slipping mechanism with more localized effects at the lever of the redox proton pumps. This s hort review is devoted to comparing and discussing the evidence agains t and in favour of these two mechanisms.