Long-term intake of the illegal diet pill DNP reduces lifespan in a captive bird model

2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP), a molecule uncoupling mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation from oxygen consumption, is illegally used by humans as diet pill, but nonetheless investigated potential human medicine against ‘metabesity’. Due to its proven acute toxicity and the scarceness of long-term studies on DNP administration in vertebrates, we determined impact treatment (~4 mg.kg?1.day?1, i.e. within range taken humans) body mass, metabolism, ageing lifespan captive bird model, zebra finch. The chronic absorption over life (>4 years) led mild increase energy expenditure (ca. +11% compared control group), without significantly altering normal slight mass with age. did not influence alteration physical performance, rise damage, or progressive shortening telomeres However, DNP-treated individuals had shorter -21% median thereby raising concerns about use pill medicine.