Diet aid or aid to die: an update on 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) use as a weight-loss product

Abstract

During the last decades, we have witnessed unparalleled changes in human eating habits and lifestyle, intensely influenced by cultural and social pressures. Sports practice became strongly implemented in daily routines, and visits to the gym peaked, driven by the indulgence in intensive 'weight-loss programs'. The pledge of boasting a healthy and beautiful body instigates the use of very attractive 'fat burners', which are purportedly advertised as safe products, easily available in the market and expected to quickly reduce body weight. In this context, the slimming properties of 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) galvanised its use as a weight-loss product, despite the drug ban for human consumption in many countries since 1938, due to its adverse effects. The main symptoms associated with 2,4-DNP intoxication, including hyperthermia, tachycardia, decreased blood pressure, and acute renal failure, motivated a worldwide warning, issued by the Interpol Anti-Doping Unit in 2015, reinforcing its hazard. Information on the effects of 2,4-DNP mainly derive from the intoxication cases reported by emergency care units, for which there is no specific antidote or treatment. This review provides a comprehensive update on 2,4-DNP use, legislation and epidemiology, chemistry and analytical methodologies for drug determination in commercial products and biological samples, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, toxicological effects, and intoxication diagnosis and management.

Hibiscus Acid from Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Inhibits Flagellar Motility and Cell Invasion in Salmonella enterica

“…Changes in the pH are closely related to the bacterial cell metabolic status [24,25]. 2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP) is a well-known protonophore that transports protons across biological membranes, dissipating the electrochemical protons gradient [26,27]. The addition of 4% DMSO did not change the pH of either the medium or the cellular suspension, while the addition of HA or DNP caused a slight acidification (pH ~5.5 to 6.8).…”

Dispersive Membrane Microextraction of Substituted Phenols from Honey Samples and a Brief Outlook on Its Sustainability Using Analytical Eco-Scale and Analytical GREEnness Metric Approach

“…Additionally, it was observed that sample HS3 registered the presence of both disubstituted nitro- and chlorophenols, as well as of 4NP. Since the early 20th century, 2,4-DNP has been closely associated with weight loss regimes [ 27 , 28 ], and its presence has been reported in various dietary and detox products [ 28 , 29 , 30 ]. However, the weight loss-excitant drug has over the years been associated with numerous health hazards, including untimely death [ 28 , 29 , 30 ], and therefore, unsurprisingly, its usage in dietary products has been largely prohibited.…”

“…Since the early 20th century, 2,4-DNP has been closely associated with weight loss regimes [ 27 , 28 ], and its presence has been reported in various dietary and detox products [ 28 , 29 , 30 ]. However, the weight loss-excitant drug has over the years been associated with numerous health hazards, including untimely death [ 28 , 29 , 30 ], and therefore, unsurprisingly, its usage in dietary products has been largely prohibited. Yet, time and again, the presence of 2,4-DNP has been inconspicuously integrated into purchasable products on the market as observed in HS3, which comes with a weight management tagline.…”

Targeting Energy Expenditure—Drugs for Obesity Treatment

“…The acute (short-term) effects of oral DNP in humans include nausea, vomiting, sweating, dizziness, headaches, and weight loss. Chronic (long-term) oral exposure to DNP in humans has results in ocular lesions, skin lesions, and a negative impact on the bone marrow, central nervous system, and cardiovascular system [ 60 ].…”