Putative hepatoprotective effects of coffee

Increased Coffee Intake Reduces Circulating HBV DNA and HBsAg Levels in HBeAg-Negative Infection: A Cohort Study

Coffee is hepatoprotective and potentially antiviral; however, its anti-hepatitis B virus (anti-HBV) property is not known in humans. This study investigated the influence of coffee drinking behaviour as well as clinical and biochemical profiles of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) negative participants on circulating HBV DNA and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels at a 24-week interval. Exactly 114 chronically HBV-infected adult participants were enrolled from the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Malaysia. A significant reduction of HBV DNA level was observed in those drinking three or more cups of coffee per day, with a median reduction of 523 IU/mL (P = 0.003). Reduction of HBsAg level was observed in those drinking two cups per day, with a median reduction of 37 IU/mL (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that increased coffee intake (P = 0.015) and lower ALT level (P = 0.033) were the significant predictors for a lower HBV DNA level, whereas increased coffee intake (P = 0.002) and having a family history of HBV infection (P = 0.021) were the significant predictors for a lower HBsAg level. These data suggest that drinking three cups or more coffee per day reduces circulating HBV DNA and HBsAg levels.

Caffeine attenuates liver fibrosis via defective adhesion of hepatic stellate cells in cirrhotic model

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Several epidemiological studies have shown that coffee intake attenuates the progression of liver fibrosis; however, the mechanism is unclear.

AIMS

We investigated the direct effects of caffeine on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and assessed whether caffeine attenuated intrahepatic fibrosis in rat model of liver cirrhosis.

METHODS

Human hepatic stellate cell line, an immortalized human HSCs line, was used in in vitro assay system. Cell migration and proliferation were assessed in presence of various caffeine concentrations (0, 1, 5, and 10 mmol), and levels of procollagen type Ic and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were measured by Western blot. Severity of liver inflammation and fibrosis were compared between thioacetamide-treated rats with and without caffeine supplementation.

RESULTS

Caffeine increased HSCs apoptosis and intracellular F-actin and cyclic adenosine monophosphate expression. Caffeine also inhibited procollagen type Ic and α-SMA expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In rat model, caffeine decreased periportal inflammation, levels of inflammatory cells (1.4 ± 0.52 vs 2.6 ± 0.46, P < 0.05), and fibrosis (2.1 ± 0.35 vs 2.9 ± 0.84, P < 0.05). Transforming growth factor-β and α-SMA expressions were also reduced by caffeine.

CONCLUSION

Caffeine attenuates the progression of liver fibrosis by inhibiting HSCs adhesion and activation.

Coffee consumption could affect the activity of some liver enzymes and other biochemical parameters in healthy drinkers

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of coffee consumption on some liver function indices in adult male and female Nigerians.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Thirty apparently healthy subjects, consisting of 18 men and 12 women, were made to consume 2 g of coffee daily for a total of 30 days. Activities of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and plasma concentrations of total and conjugated bilirubin, total protein and albumin were determined using standard methods.

RESULTS

Relative to baseline values, coffee consumption raised mean levels of ALT by 4 IU/l (p < 0.001), AST by 2.0 1 U/l (p < 0.001), ALP by 3.0 1 U/l (p < 0.01), total bilirubin by 0.90 mg/dl (p < 0.05) and total protein by 1.1 g/l (p < 0.05). Gender differences were observed. Significantly higher mean ALP concentration was only seen in male subjects, while mean bilirubin concentration was significantly raised in female volunteers alone. On the other hand, the mean total protein and albumin concentrations in individual male and female groups were not significantly altered (p > 0.05 in each case).

CONCLUSION

The result obtained from the study suggests that short-term consumption of coffee might have a significant effect on the integrity of the liver function tests studied.

Coffee and the liver: a potential treatment for liver disease?

Liver disease is the fifth commonest cause of death in the UK. Observational and case-controlled studies have suggested that coffee is beneficial in liver disease, but this evidence has yet to be evaluated or placed into the context of the natural history of liver disease. The aim of this study was to review the current evidence for the role of coffee in liver disease. Several studies consistently show that coffee drinkers have a reduced risk of abnormal liver function tests, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There is a clear dose response to this benefit. As the effect of this widely available food substance seems substantial further data, ideally from an interventional study of coffee in patients with liver disease, is urgently required particularly because of the potential to reduce fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma risk. This would be the first intervention of its kind to have proven benefit irrespective of etiology of liver disease.

Coffee consumption and the risk of cancer: an overview

Habitual coffee drinking has been associated with a reduced risk of mortality and chronic diseases, including cancer. The favourable influence of coffee is supported by several plausible mechanisms due to the presence of a variety of biological compounds such as caffeine, diterpenes, caffeic acid, polyphenols as well as volatile aroma and heterocyclic substances. Current evidence suggests that coffee consumption is associated with a reduced risk of liver, kidney, and to a lesser extent, premenopausal breast and colorectal cancers, while it is unrelated to prostate, pancreas and ovary cancers. Coffee drinking may still help reduce death due to liver cancer.