Protective effect of a coffee preparation (Nescafe pure®) against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats

Targeted proteomic response to coffee consumption

PURPOSE

Coffee is widely consumed and implicated in numerous health outcomes but the mechanisms by which coffee contributes to health is unclear. The purpose of this study was to test the effect of coffee drinking on candidate proteins involved in cardiovascular, immuno-oncological and neurological pathways.

METHODS

We examined fasting serum samples collected from a previously reported single blinded, three-stage clinical trial. Forty-seven habitual coffee consumers refrained from drinking coffee for 1 month, consumed 4 cups of coffee/day in the second month and 8 cups/day in the third month. Samples collected after each coffee stage were analyzed using three multiplex proximity extension assays that, after quality control, measured a total of 247 proteins implicated in cardiovascular, immuno-oncological and neurological pathways and of which 59 were previously linked to coffee exposure. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to test the relationship between coffee treatment and each protein.

RESULTS

Two neurology-related proteins including carboxypeptidase M (CPM) and neutral ceramidase (N-CDase or ASAH2), significantly increased after coffee intake (P < 0.05 and Q < 0.05). An additional 46 proteins were nominally associated with coffee intake (P < 0.05 and Q > 0.05); 9, 8 and 29 of these proteins related to cardiovascular, immuno-oncological and neurological pathways, respectively, and the levels of 41 increased with coffee intake.

CONCLUSIONS

CPM and N-CDase levels increased in response to coffee intake. These proteins have not previously been linked to coffee and are thus novel markers of coffee response worthy of further study. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12547806.

Protective effect of coffee consumption on all-cause mortality of French HIV-HCV co-infected patients

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Coffee has anti-inflammatory and hepato-protective properties. In the general population, drinking ≥3cups of coffee/day has been associated with a 14% reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between coffee consumption and the risk of all-cause mortality in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV).

METHODS

ANRS CO13 HEPAVIH is an ongoing French nationwide prospective cohort of patients co-infected with HIV-HCV collecting both medical and psychosocial/behavioural data (annual self-administered questionnaires). We used a Cox proportional hazards model to estimate the effect of elevated coffee consumption (≥3cups/day) at baseline on all-cause mortality during the cohort's five-year follow-up.

RESULTS

Over a median [interquartile range] follow-up of 5.0 [3.9-5.9] years, 77 deaths occurred among 1,028 eligible patients (mortality rate 1.64/100 person-years; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.31-2.05). Leading causes of death were HCV-related diseases (n=33, 43%), cancers unrelated to AIDS/HCV (n=9, 12%), and AIDS (n=8, 10%). At the first available visit, 26.6% of patients reported elevated coffee consumption. Elevated coffee consumption at baseline was associated with a 50% reduced risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 0.5; CI 0.3-0.9; p=0.032), after adjustment for gender and psychosocial, behavioral and clinical time-varying factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Drinking three or more cups of coffee per day halves all-cause mortality risk in patients co-infected with HIV-HCV. The benefits of coffee extracts and supplementing dietary intake with other anti-inflammatory compounds need to be evaluated in this population.

LAY SUMMARY

Coffee has anti-inflammatory and hepato-protective properties but its effect on mortality risk has never been investigated in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). This study shows that elevated coffee consumption (≥3cups/day) halves all-cause mortality risk in patients co-infected with HIV-HCV. The benefits of coffee extracts and supplementing dietary intake with other anti-inflammatory compounds need to be evaluated in this population.

Food components with antifibrotic activity and implications in prevention of liver disease

Increasing prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in parallel with the obesity epidemic has been a major public health concern. NAFLD is the most common chronic liver disease in the United States, ranging from fatty liver to steatohepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis in the liver. In response to chronic liver injury, fibrogenesis in the liver occurs as a protective response; however, prolonged and dysregulated fibrogenesis can lead to liver fibrosis, which can further progress to cirrhosis and eventually hepatocellular carcinoma. Interplay of hepatocytes, macrophages and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in the hepatic inflammatory and oxidative milieu is critical for the development of NAFLD. In particular, HSCs play a major role in the production of extracellular matrix proteins. Studies have demonstrated that bioactive food components and natural products, including astaxanthin, curcumin, blueberry, silymarin, coffee, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D, resveratrol, quercetin and epigallocatechin-3-gallate, have antifibrotic effects in the liver. This review summarizes current knowledge of the mechanistic insight into the antifibrotic actions of the aforementioned bioactive food components.

Coffee Intake Is Associated with a Lower Liver Stiffness in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Hepatitis C, and Hepatitis B

There is emerging evidence for the positive effects or benefits of coffee in patients with liver disease. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study on patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection to determine the effects of coffee intake on a non-invasive marker of liver fibrosis: liver stiffness assessed by transient elastography (TE). We assessed coffee and tea intake and measured TE in 1018 patients with NAFLD, HCV, and HBV (155 with NAFLD, 378 with HCV and 485 with HBV). Univariate and multivariate regression models were performed taking into account potential confounders. Liver stiffness was higher in males compared to females (p < 0.05). Patients with HBV had lower liver stiffness than those with HCV and NAFLD. After adjustment for age, gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, M or XL probe, and disease state (NAFLD, HCV, and HBV status), those who drank 2 or more cups of coffee per day had a lower liver stiffness (p = 0.044). Tea consumption had no effect (p = 0.9). Coffee consumption decreases liver stiffness, which may indicate less fibrosis and inflammation, independent of disease state. This study adds further evidence to the notion of coffee maybe beneficial in patients with liver disease.

The antifibrotic and fibrolytic properties of date fruit extract via modulation of genotoxicity, tissue-inhibitor of metalloproteinases and nuclear factor- kappa B pathway in a rat model of hepatotoxicity

BACKGROUND

Hepatic fibrosis and its end point; cirrhosis, are the major cause of liver failure and death in patients with chronic liver disease. Therefore, the need for an effective treatment is evident. This study was designed to assess the potential effects of aqueous extract of date fruits, either flesh (DFE) or pits (DPE), on oxidative DNA damage and liver inflammation induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and whether they are related to inhibition of nuclear factor-κB pathway. In addition, the fibrolytic potential was evaluated via measuring matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases -1 and -2.

METHODS

Rats were divided into the following groups: normal control, model control (CCl4 only), CCl4 + DFE, CCl4 + DPE and CCl4 + coffee. Coffee was used as a positive control. Fibrosis was induced by chronic administration of CCl4 (0.4 ml/kg) 3× a week for 8 weeks, and rats were treated with 6 ml/kg/day of DFE or DPE for 8 weeks. Liver homogenate was prepared for evaluation of oxidative stress, DNA damage, inflammatory and fibrolytic markers. Data are analyzed using one-way analysis of variance followed by a Tukey-Kramer post hoc test.

RESULTS

Both DFE and DPE significantly attenuated CCl4-induced oxidative damage as indicated by reducing lipid, protein and DNA oxidation in addition to increasing the levels of hepatic catalase activity. Both extracts blocked the accumulation of collagen I in the liver and ameliorated the increased expression of collagen III and α-smooth muscle actin suggesting suppression of profibrotic response induced by CCl4. DFE and DPE also upregulated the expression of heme oxygenase-1 and attenuated the nuclear factor-κB activation and cycloxygenase-2 expression reflecting their anti-inflammatory potential. Additionally, both flesh and pits extracts attenuated the increase in the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases -1 and -2 suggesting their fibrolytic activity.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that DFE or DPE can prevent liver fibrosis by suppressing genotoxicity and nuclear factor-κB inflammatory pathway and by promoting collagen degradation.

I drink for my liver, Doc: emerging evidence that coffee prevents cirrhosis

Evidence demonstrating that regular ingestion of coffee has salutary effects on patients with chronic liver disease is accumulating rapidly. Specifically, it appears that coffee ingestion can slow the progression of liver fibrosis, preventing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This should excite clinicians and scientists alike, since these observations, if true, would create effective, testable hypotheses that should lead to improved understanding on fibrosis pathogenesis and thus may generate novel pharmacologic treatments of patients with chronic liver disease.

This review is designed to examine the relevant clinical and epidemiological data in critical fashion and to examine the putative pharmacological effects of coffee relevant to the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. We hope that this will inspire relevant critical analyses, especially among “coffee skeptics”. Of note, one major assumption made by this review is that the bulk of the effects of coffee consumption are mediated by caffeine, rather than by other chemical constituents of coffee. Our rationales for this assumption are threefold: first, caffeine’s effects on adenosinergic signaling provide testable hypotheses; second, although there are  myriad chemical constituents of coffee, they are present in very low concentrations, and perhaps more importantly, vary greatly between coffee products and production methods (it is important to note that we do not dismiss the “botanical” hypothesis here; rather, we do not emphasize it at present due to the limitations of the studies examined); lastly, some (but not all) observational studies have examined both coffee and non-coffee caffeine consumption and found consistent effects, and when examined, no benefit to decaffeinated coffee has been observed. Further, in the interval since we examined this phenomenon last, further evidence has accumulated supporting caffeine as the effector molecule for coffee’s salutary effects.

Aqueous Date Flesh or Pits Extract Attenuates Liver Fibrosis via Suppression of Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Reduction of Inflammatory Cytokines, Transforming Growth Factor- β 1 and Angiogenic Markers in Carbon Tetrachloride-Intoxicated Rats

Previous data indicated the protective effect of date fruit extract on oxidative damage in rat liver. However, the hepatoprotective effects via other mechanisms have not been investigated. This study was performed to evaluate the antifibrotic effect of date flesh extract (DFE) or date pits extract (DPE) via inactivation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), reducing the levels of inflammatory, fibrotic and angiogenic markers. Coffee was used as reference hepatoprotective agent. Liver fibrosis was induced by injection of CCl₄ (0.4 mL/kg) three times weekly for 8 weeks. DFE, DPE (6 mL/kg), coffee (300 mg/kg), and combination of coffee + DFE and coffee + DPE were given to CCl₄-intoxicated rats daily for 8 weeks. DFE, DPE, and their combination with coffee attenuated the elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β. The increased levels of transforming growth factor-β1 and collagen deposition in injured liver were alleviated by both extracts. CCl₄-induced expression of α-smooth muscle actin was suppressed indicating HSCs inactivation. Increased angiogenesis was ameliorated as revealed by reduced levels and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and CD31. We concluded that DFE or DPE could protect liver via different mechanisms. The combination of coffee with DFE or DPE may enhance its antifibrotic effects.

Protective mechanisms of medicinal plants targeting hepatic stellate cell activation and extracellular matrix deposition in liver fibrosis

During chronic liver injury, hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are activated and proliferate, which causes excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, leading to scar formation and fibrosis. Medicinal plants are gaining popularity as antifibrotic agents, and are often safe, cost-effective, and versatile. This review aims to describe the protective role and mechanisms of medicinal plants in the inhibition of HSC activation and ECM deposition during the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. A systematic literature review on the anti-fibrotic mechanisms of hepatoprotective plants was performed in PubMed, which yielded articles about twelve relevant plants. Many of these plants act via disruption of the transforming growth factor beta 1 signaling pathway, possibly through reduction in oxidative stress. This reduction could explain the inhibition of HSC activation and reduction in ECM deposition. Medicinal plants could be a source of anti-liver fibrosis compounds.

Prevention of rat liver fibrosis and carcinogenesis by coffee and caffeine

Coffee has been inversely related to the incidence of human liver disease; however, whether caffeine is the component responsible for the beneficial effects of coffee remains controversial. This study evaluated the beneficial effects of coffee or caffeine in a medium-term bioassay for rat liver fibrosis/carcinogenesis induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). One week after the DEN injection, the groups started to receive conventional coffee, instant coffee or 0.1% caffeine ad libitum for 24 weeks. The groups receiving conventional coffee or caffeine presented a significant reduction in collagen content and mRNA expression of collagen I. The groups receiving instant coffee or caffeine had a significant reduction in the size and area of pre-neoplastic lesions and in the mean number of neoplastic lesions. A significant increase in liver bax protein levels was observed in the groups receiving instant coffee or caffeine as compared to the control group. These data indicate that the most pronounced hepatoprotective effect against fibrosis was observed in the groups receiving conventional coffee and 0.1% caffeine, and the greatest effects against liver carcinogenesis were detected in the groups receiving instant coffee and 0.1% caffeine.

Chlorogenic acid reduces liver inflammation and fibrosis through inhibition of toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a type of polyphenol with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activities. Our previous studies showed CGA could efficiently inhibit carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver fibrosis in rats. However, the specific underlying mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of CGA on liver inflammation and fibrosis induced by CCl(4) and whether they are related to inhibition of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were administrated CCl(4) together with or without CGA for 8 weeks. Histopathological and biochemical analyses were carried out. The mRNA and protein expression levels of proinflammatory and profibrotic mediators were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The levels of serum proinflammatory cytokines were detected by ELISA. CGA significantly attenuated CCl(4)-induced liver damage and symptoms of liver fibrosis, accompanied by reduced serum transaminase levels, collagen I and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression. As compared with the CCl(4)-treated group, the expression levels of TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were reduced in the treatment group of CCl(4) and CGA, whereas bone morphogenetic protein and activin membrane-bound inhibitor (Bambi) expression was increased. CGA also suppressed CCl(4) induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation. Moreover, the hepatic mRNA expression and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were significantly increased in CCl(4)-treated rats and attenuated by co-treatment with CGA. Our data indicate that CGA can efficiently inhibit CCl(4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats and the protective effect may be due to the inhibition of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Coffee and caffeine protect against liver injury induced by thioacetamide in male Wistar rats

Coffee intake has been inversely related to the incidence of liver diseases, although there are controversies on whether these beneficial effects on human health are because of caffeine or other specific components in this popular beverage. Thus, this study evaluated the protective effects of coffee or caffeine intake on liver injury induced by repeated thioacetamide (TAA) administration in male Wistar rats. Rats were randomized into five groups: one untreated group (G1) and four groups (G2-G5) treated with the hepatotoxicant TAA (200 mg/kg b.w., i.p.) twice a week for 8 weeks. Concomitantly, rats received tap water (G1 and G2), conventional coffee (G3), decaffeinated coffee (G4) or 0.1% caffeine (G5). After 8 weeks of treatment, rats were killed and blood and liver samples were collected. Conventional and decaffeinated coffee and caffeine intake significantly reduced serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p < 0.001) and oxidized glutathione (p < 0.05), fibrosis/inflammation scores (p < 0.001), collagen volume fraction (p < 0.01) and transforming growth factor β-1 (TGF-β1) protein expression (p ≤ 0.001) in the liver from TAA-treated groups. In addition, conventional coffee and caffeine intake significantly reduced proliferating cellular nuclear antigen (PCNA) S-phase indexes (p < 0.001), but only conventional coffee reduced cleaved caspase-3 indexes (p < 0.001), active metalloproteinase 2 (p ≤ 0.004) and the number of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive preneoplastic lesions (p < 0.05) in the liver from TAA-treated groups. In conclusion, conventional coffee and 0.1% caffeine intake presented better beneficial effects than decaffeinated coffee against liver injury induced by TAA in male Wistar rats.

[Importance of dietary hydroxycinnamic acids in the therapy of liver fibrosis]

Medicinal treatment of liver fibrosis is still unsolved. According to literature data, plant extracts containing hydroxycinnamic acids inhibit experimentally induced liver fibrosis.

AIM

The aim of this study was to provide data on the hydroxycinnamic acid content of medicinal plants, which can be applied in the adjuvant therapy of liver fibrosis.

METHODS

Content and composition of hydroxycinnamic acids from houseleek and seven known herbs were evaluated using spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

Hydroxycinnamic acid content was found to be high in Lamiaceae herbs, but it was lower in houseleek. Rosmarinic acid as the main compound was detected in all herb samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Besides hydroxycinnamic acids, houseleek contains high amounts of antioxidant polyphenols, and its pharmacological effect is presumed to be attributed to synergism of all of these compounds. The hydroxycinnamic acid content of the herbs investigated was remarkable, therefore, the results support their dietary application in patients with chronic liver disease.

A rat model of smoke inhalation injury

CONTEXT

Smoke inhalation injury is the leading cause of acute respiratory failure in critical burn victims. Advances in the treatment of smoke inhalation injury have been limited in the past years. To further explore the pathogenesis, stable and practical animal models are necessary.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a rat model of smoke inhalation injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The smoke composition including the particulate matters, irritant gases, chemical carcinogens was measured. The blood gas values, pro-inflammatory and protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung wet to dry weight ratio were assayed. Pathological evaluations of pulmonary were performed at 24 h, 96 h, 7 days and 28 days post-injury. Masson-Goldner trichrome staining was performed on day 7 and 28 post-injury, along with the measurement of hydroxyproline and collagen I and III.

RESULTS

In our present animal model, smoke inhalation caused a significant hypoxemia and CO poisoning. A surge of pro-inflammatory response and microvascular hyperpermeability with neutrophils accumulations were also found in our animal model. At 24 h post-smoke inhalation, the hematoxylin and eosin results exhibited that there were inflammatory exudates and diffuse hemorrhage in the lung tissue with significant edema. With the time going, the lung injuries appeared at alveolar collapse and alveolar septum thickening, which indicated that smoke inhalation further induced damage to lung parenchyma. Specially, the markedly collagen deposition appeared at 28 days post-injury indicated that pulmonary fibrosis happened.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this rat smoke inhalation injury model induced by our novel self-made smoke generator could be used for acute and chronic lung injury experiments.

S-allylmercaptocysteine reduces carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic oxidative stress and necroinflammation via nuclear factor kappa B-dependent pathways in mice

Purpose

To study the protective effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of SAMC on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced acute hepatotoxicity in the mouse model.

Methods

Mice were intraperitoneally injected with CCl₄ (50 μl/kg; single dose) to induce acute hepatotoxicity with or without a 2-h pre-treatment of SAMC intraperitoneal injection (200 mg/kg; single dose). After 8 h, the blood serum and liver samples of mice were collected and subjected to measurements of histological and molecular parameters of hepatotoxicity.

Results

SAMC reduced CCl₄-triggered cellular necrosis and inflammation in the liver under histological analysis. Since co-treatment of SAMC and CCl₄ enhanced the expressions of antioxidant enzymes, reduced the nitric oxide (NO)-dependent oxidative stress, and inhibited lipid peroxidation induced by CCl₄. SAMC played an essential antioxidative role during CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity. Administration of SAMC also ameliorated hepatic inflammation induced by CCl₄ via inhibiting the activity of NF-κB subunits p50 and p65, thus reducing the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines, mediators, and chemokines, as well as promoting pro-regenerative factors at both transcriptional and translational levels.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that SAMC mitigates cellular damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation in CCl₄-induced acute hepatotoxicity mouse model through regulation of NF-κB. Garlic or garlic derivatives may therefore be a potential food supplement in the prevention of liver damage.

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.