[Decrease in the intracellular concentration of O2 as a special function of the cellular respiratory system].

A hypothesis is put forward assuming that uncoupled or non-coupled respiration is functioning as a mechanism lowering intracellular [O2] and preventing thereby non-enzymatic one-electron reduction of O2 to O2.-. A study of effects of some analogs of thyroid and steroid hormones on mitochondria suggests that the former may operate as uncoupler, the later being its antagonist. It is suggested that non-specific pore in mitochondria can also be involved in the same function.