Death from 2,4-Dinitrophenol Poisoning: An Autopsy Case

Abstract

Recently, the number of people using 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) for weight loss has greatly increased. DNP increases the basal metabolic rate, resulting in weight reduction. The high metabolic rate is achieved by uncoupling mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, which generates intracellular heat, resulting in an inability to control thermogenesis via the inhibition of ATP formation. However, DNP was banned because of serious adverse effects such as hyperthermia, tachycardia, and diaphoresis. DNP poisoning causes cataracts, liver failure, and agranulocytosis, leading to death. More than 60 cases of DNP-related death have been reported in the literature. However, there have been no reports of DNP-related deaths in Korea. In this report, we describe a rare autopsy case of a 39-year-old man who died after consumption of DNP, which he was using as a weight loss aid.