often used in biochemistry research to help explore the bioenergetics of chemiosmotic and other membrane transport processes. Mechanism of action DNP acts as a protonophore, allowing protons to leak across the inner mitochondrial membrane and thus bypass ATP synthase. This makes ATP energy production less efficient. In effect, part of the energy that is normally produced from cellular respiration is wasted as heat. The inefficiency is proportional to the dose of DNP that is taken. As the dose increases and energy production is made more inefficient, metabolic rate increases (and more fat is burned) in order to compensate for the inefficiency and to meet energy demands. DNP is probably the best known agent for uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation. The phosphorylation of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) by ATP synthase gets disconnected or uncoupled from oxidation. From the Journal of Clinical Toxicology, Volume 44, Issue 3 (2006): Pharmacokinetics Information about pharmacokinetics of DNP in humans is limited. The ATSDR's Toxicological Profile for Dinitrophenols remarks that DNP elimination appears to be rapid except when liver function is impaired. The NEJM remarks that DNP appears to be eliminated in around three to four days, except possibly when the liver and kidneys are damaged. Other papers give a wide array of possible half-lives, ranging from 3 hours to 5–14 days, while still other, more recent papers maintain that the half-life in humans is unknown. Hazards Toxicity DNP is considered to have high acute toxicity. In March 2020 a UK judge stated "there is no antidote or remedy for DNP once taken. In consequence, DNP has a high mortality rate ⁠— ⁠of those who presented at hospital between 2007 and 2019 with a history of having taken DNP, 18% died. This puts DNP close to cyanide in terms of its toxicity." The study published in 2021 indicates that the worldwide cases fatality overall was 11.9% between 2010 and 2020. Other than increasing metabolic rate, acute oral exposure to DNP has resulted in nausea, vomiting, sweating, dizziness, headache, and loss of weight. Chronic oral exposure to DNP can lead to the formation of cataracts and skin lesions and has caused effects on the bone marrow, central nervous system, and cardiovascular system. Contact with skin or inhalation can cause DNP poisoning. In 2009, an incident occurred in a Chinese chemical factory and 20 persons suffered acute DNP poisoning. The factor that limits ever-increasing doses of DNP is not a lack