US Patent 7919699 - Nanotubes as mitochondrial uncoupler

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7919699.html

Mitochondria control metabolism in individual cells by burning sugars and fats. This patent from the University of Kentucky teaches nanotubes made of metal or polymers may be useful to uncouple mitochondria, raise metabolism, and promote weight loss. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of uncoupling mitochondria in a subject comprising:

administering nanotubes to the subject in a therapeutically effective amount, wherein the nanotubes are self-rectifying nanotubes, having a length of less than 50 nm and a conductance such that the nanotubes conduct protons only where a proton gradient of about 120-220 mV is present.