We report that 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) as well as two other iodothyronines (3,3'-diiodothyronine and 3,5-diiodothyronine (T2s)) stimulate rat liver oxidative capacity (measured as cytochrome oxidase activity (COX)). In hypothyroid rats COX activity and mitochondrial protein content are significantly lower than in normal control animals. The administration of both T3 and T2s to hypothyroid rats significantly enhances hepatic COX activity with T3 having the greatest effect (+60%); moreover, T3 restores the mitochondrial protein content whereas the T2s are ineffective. Administration of T2s results in a faster stimulation (already significant 1 h after the injection) of hepatic COX activity than T3 injection. Our results suggest that T3 acts on the protein synthesis mechanism involved in the regulation of the mitochondrial mass while T2s would act directly at the mitochondrial level.