Increase in reports of toxicity from fat burning supplement seen in UK

Testing for 2,4-dinitrophenol in human hair by LC-MS/MS and interpretation issues

2,4-dinitrophenol, initially developed for industrial purposes, is used in the synthesis of dyes and various drugs, including herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. Incidentally, it was discovered that 2,4-dinitrophenol increases human basal metabolic rate. As a consequence, people who want to loose weight can abuse 2,4-dinitrophenol. It is a compound of choice for bodybuilders who abuse it in combination with anabolic steroids and clenbuterol. Numerous deaths have been attributed to 2,4-dinitrophenol. Up to now, 2,4-dinitrophenol was never reported in hair. The authors present an original method to test for 2,4-dinitrophenol in hair after methanolic extraction using LC-MS/MS. The limit of detection of the procedure is 0.01 ng/mg and the method was fully validated in the range 0.1-50 ng/mg. 2,4-dinitrophenol tested positive in the brown hair of a subject deceased from acute poisoning at 5.15, 13.06 and 25.48 ng/mg in the 3 × 3 cm segments. As excessive sweating is associated to 2,4-dinitrophenol abuse, major contribution of this matrix must be taken into consideration when interpreting the data. In this case, there was a regular increase of 2,4-dinitrophenol concentration from root to tip. This specific pattern can be the consequence of sweat contamination, i.e., the older hair being for a longer time in contact with sweat.

Russian roulette with unlicensed fat-burner drug 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP): evidence from a multidisciplinary study of the internet, bodybuilding supplements and DNP users

Background

2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP) poses serious health-risks to humans. The aims of this three-stage multidisciplinary project were, for the first time, to assess the risks to the general public from fraudulent sale of or adulteration/contamination with DNP; and to investigate motives, reasons and risk-management among DNP-user bodybuilders and avid exercisers.

Methods

Using multiple search-engines and guidance for Internet research, online retailers and bodybuilding forums/blogs were systematically explored for availability of DNP, advice offered on DNP use and user profiles. Ninety-eight pre-workout and weight-loss supplements were purchased and analysed for DNP using liquid-chromatography-mass-spectrometry. Psychosocial variables were captured in an international sample of 35 DNP users (26.06 ± 6.10 years, 94.3 % male) with an anonymous, semi-qualitative self-reported survey.

Results

Although an industrial chemical, evidence from the Internet showed that DNP is sold ‘as is’, in capsules or tablets to suit human consumption, and is used ‘uncut’. Analytical results confirmed that DNP is not on the supplement market disguised under fictitious supplement names, but infrequently was present as contaminant in some supplements (14/98) at low concentration (<100mcg/kg). Users make conscious and ‘informed’ decisions about DNP; are well-prepared for the side-effects and show nonchalant attitude toward self-experimentation with DNP. Steps are often taken to ensure that DNP is genuine. Personal experience with performance- and appearance enhancing substances appears to be a gateway to DNP. Advice on DNP and experiences are shared online. The significant discrepancy between the normative perception and the actual visibility suggests that DNP use is-contrary to the Internet accounts-a highly concealed and lonesome activity in real life. Positive experiences with the expected weight-loss prevail over the negative experiences from side effects (all but two users considered using DNP again) and help with using DNP safely is considered preferable over scare-tactics.

Conclusion

Legislation banning DNP sale for human consumption protects the general public but DNP is sold ‘as is’ and used ‘uncut’ by determined users who are not dissuaded from experimenting with DNP based on health threats. Further research with stakeholders’ active participation is imperative for targeted, proactive public health policies and harm-reduction measures for DNP, and other illicit supplements.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13011-015-0034-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.