The action of nitrophenols on the metabolic rate of rats.

The effect of the mono- and di-nitrophenols and certain related compounds has been determined on the rate of oxygen consumption, the rate of carbon dioxide output and the rectal temperature of the Wistar albino rat.Of the compounds examined, only 2:4-dinitrophenol and its derivative, 3:5-dinitro-o-cresol, stimulated metabolic rate. 2-Nitrophenol and 2:3-, 2:6-, and 3:5-dinitrophenol produced no change in metabolic rate; 3-nitrophenol and 2:5-dinitrophenol had no action on carbon dioxide production although they caused a decrease in oxygen consumption. 4-Nitrophenol and 3:4-dinitrophenol increased only the rate of carbon dioxide output; 2-amino-4-nitrophenol increased the rate of carbon dioxide output and decreased the rate of oxygen consumption; 4-amino-2-nitrophenol caused depression of metabolic rate.It was confirmed that neither rectal temperature nor carbon dioxide output could replace rate of oxygen consumption as a reliable index of metabolic stimulant action. An apparatus is described which facilitates measurement of the oxygen consumption of small mammals.