cis-Unsaturated fatty acids uncouple mitochondria and stimulate glycolysis in intact lymphocytes

In intact lymphocytes, linoleic acid acts as a typical mitochondrial uncoupler: it substantially decreases the mitochondrial membrane potential and the cellular ATP level, while stimulating oxygen consumption and glycolysis. Under these conditions the inhibition of cellular functions by linoleic acid cannot be attributed to its postulated effects on lipid domains in the plasma membrane.