Forskning

October 12, 2011

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

A J Onuegbu et al, Coffee consumption could affect the activity of some liver enzymes and other biochemical parameters in healthy drinkers, Medical Principles and Practice, 2011, Volume 20.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of coffee consumption on some liver function indices in adult male and female Nigerians. Thirty apparently healthy subjects, 18 men and 12 women, were made to consume 2 g of coffee daily for a total of 30 days. Activities of aspartate transaminases (AST), alanine transaminases (ALT), alkaline phosphatise (ALP) and plasma concentrations of total and conjugated bilirubin, total protein and albumin were determined using standard methods. Relative to baseline values, coffee consumption raised mean levels of ALT, AST, ALP, total bilirubin and total protein. Gender differences were observed. Significantly higher mean ALP concentration was only seen in male subjects, while mean bilirubinn concentrations 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. These authors concluded, ‘The results obtained from the study suggest short-term consumption of coffee might have a significant effect on the integrity of the liver function tests studied’.