Association of coffee consumption with serum adiponectin, leptin, inflammation and metabolic markers in Japanese workers: a cross-sectional study

Association between Coffee Consumption and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Exploratory Case-Control Study

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a leading cause of infertility, with an estimated worldwide prevalence between 5% and 15%. We conducted a case-control study with 121 PCOS patients and 155 controls to assess the association between coffee intake and the presence of having a diagnosis of PCOS in women in Murcia, Spain. The PCOS diagnosis was determined following Rotterdam criteria (the presence of two of the following three conditions: hyperandrogenism, oligo-anovulation, and/or polycystic ovarian morphology). Coffee consumption was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multiple logistic regression. Coffee consumption was categorized into never, less than one cup per day, one cup per day, and two or more cups per day. We found a significant inverse linear trend: the higher the coffee consumption, the lower the probability of having PCOS in multivariable analysis (p-trend = 0.034). Women who presented with PCOS were less likely to drink one cup of coffee compared to those who had never drunk coffee (OR = 0.313, 95% CI: 0.141-0.69). The consumption of at least one cup of coffee per day may be associated with a decrease in PCOS symptoms.

Coffee consumption and C-reactive protein levels: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

Considerable debate exists regarding the association between coffee consumption and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and the shape of this association. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the relationship between coffee consumption and CRP levels.

DATA SYNTHESIS

We searched PubMed and Web of Science databases and conducted a hand search as of June 27, 2023. Meta-analyses were conducted using standardized mean differences (SMDs) with random-effects models, based on the geometric mean of CRP from included studies. We identified 13 studies for our systematic review and included 11 cross-sectional studies, involving a total of 66,691 subjects, in our meta-analysis. We found a linear inverse association between coffee consumption and CRP levels (p-value = 0.002) and did not find evidence of a non-linear association (p for non-linearity = 0.13). Compared with the lowest category of coffee consumption (median, non-drinkers), the SMDs of log-transformed CRP levels were -0.02 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.05 to 0.00) for the third highest (median, 0.5 cup/day), -0.09 (95% CI: -0.15 to -0.04) for the second highest (median, 2.5 cups/day), and -0.14 (95% CI: -0.25 to -0.04) for the highest category (median, 4.5 cups/day). The inverse association tended to be stronger in women, but the difference by gender was not significant. Compared to the limited number of studies not adjusting for smoking, those that adjusted showed a strong linear inverse association, although the difference was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that coffee consumption is inversely associated with CRP levels. These associations may vary with potential modifiers, including gender and smoking adjustment.

PROSPERO

CRD42023445986.

Caffeine: a potential mechanism for anti-obesity

Obesity refers to the excessive accumulation of fat caused by a long-term imbalance between energy intake (EI) and energy expenditure (EE). Over recent years, obesity has become a major public health challenge. Caffeine is a natural product that has been demonstrated to exert anti-obesity effects; however, the mechanisms responsible for the effect of caffeine on weight loss have yet to be fully elucidated. Most obesity-related deaths are due to cardiovascular disease. Recent research has demonstrated that caffeine can reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease; thus, it can be hypothesized that caffeine may represent a new therapeutic agent for weight loss. In this review, we synthesize data arising from clinical and animal studies over the last decade and discuss the potential mechanisms by which caffeine may induce weight loss, focusing particularly on increasing energy consumption, suppressing appetite, altering lipid metabolism, and influencing the gut microbiota. Finally, we summarize the major challenges associated with caffeine and anti-obesity research and highlight possible directions for future research and development.

Caffeine intake in adults with cardiovascular diseases; A cross-sectional study

Background: Caffeine in the safe dose range has been associated with a reduction in the risk of chronic diseases. There is evidence that caffeine intake has both protective and negative effects on cardiovascular diseases. Aim: This study aimed to investigate caffeine intake in cardiovascular patients. Methods: The study sample was selected from individuals who applied to the Cardiology policlinic of Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Hospital. A questionnaire was applied using face-to-face interview method to determine their demographic information, nutritional status and anthropometric measurements. Moreover, the nutritional status of the participants was determined by the Food Frequency Questionnaire and the type of cardiovascular disease was determined by a physician. The blood parameters of the sample for the last three months were questioned. The sample has been ninety people of whom fifty cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) were diagnosed and forty were non-diagnosed (ND). Results: The mean age of individuals (n = 90) was 43.2 ± 14.4. The BMI and waist circumference of the CVDs group were statistically significantly higher than the ND group (p < 0.001). While the total caffeine consumption of the ND group was 209.34 ± 143.85 mg/day, consumption of the CVDs group was 209.99 ± 196.76 mg/day. LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol did not show statistically significant difference between the two groups. However, HDL cholesterol was significantly higher in the ND group (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Present results show that daily caffeine consumption may partially affect blood parameters associated with cardiovascular diseases, especially in the presence of coronary artery disease.

Association between coffee consumption and high C-reactive protein levels in Korean adults

The findings of studies investigating the relationship between coffee consumption and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels have been inconsistent, and few researchers considered the type of coffee. We examined the association between coffee consumption and high CRP levels, using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2016-2018, with 9337 adults aged 19-64 years. A 24-h diet recall was used to assess diet, including the amount and type of coffee consumed. We classified coffee into black coffee and coffee with sugar and/or cream (non-drinkers, or ≤ 1, 2-3, > 3 cups/d) and used multivariable logistic regression models with high CRP levels (≥ 2·2 mg/l). After the adjustment for potential confounders, 2-3 cups/d of coffee consumption were inversely associated with high CRP levels, compared with no consumption (OR = 0·83, 95 % CI 0·69, 0·99). By type of coffee, the inverse association was stronger in subjects consuming black coffee (OR = 0·61, 95 % CI 0·45, 0·84), while the inverse association was much weaker in those consuming coffee with sugar and/or cream (OR = 0·92, 95 % CI 0·74, 1·14). By sex, the inverse association of 2-3 cups of black coffee was found both in men (OR = 0·65, 95 % CI 0·41, 1·03) and women (OR = 0·55, 95 % CI 0·36, 0·83). More than three cups/d of heavy coffee consumption were not significantly associated with high CRP levels. Our findings indicate that moderate black coffee consumption of 2-3 cups/d is inversely associated with high CRP levels in Korean adults. Further prospective studies are warranted to provide definitive evidence.

Dietary caffeine intake is associated with favorable metabolic profile among apparently healthy overweight and obese individuals

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have revealed some conflicting results about the health effects of caffeine. These studies are inconsistent in terms of design and population and source of consumed caffeine. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the possible health effects of dietary caffeine intake among overweight and obese individuals.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 488 apparently healthy individuals with overweight and obesity were participated. Dietary intake was assessed by a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and the amount of dietary caffeine was calculated. Body composition was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Enzymatic methods were used to evaluate serum lipid, glucose, and insulin concentrations.

RESULTS

Those at the highest tertile of dietary caffeine intake had lower percentage of fat mass, higher fat free mass and appetite score (P < 0.05). Also, lower total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) was observed in higher tertiles of dietary caffeine intake compared with lower tertiles. In multinomial adjusted models, those at the second tertile of dietary caffeine intake were more likely to have higher serum insulin (P = 0.04) and lower homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values compared with first tertile (P = 0.03) in crude model. While, in the age, body mass index (BMI), sex, physical activity, socio-economic status (SES) and energy intake -adjusted model (Model III), those at the third tertile of dietary caffeine intake were more likely to have low serum LDL concentrations [odds ratio (OR) = 0.957; CI = 0.918-0.997; P = 0.04]. With further adjustment to dietary vegetable, fiber and grain intake, those at the third tertile of dietary caffeine intake were more likely to have low systolic blood pressure (SBP), LDL and high HDL levels compared with those at the first tertile (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

High intakes of dietary caffeine was associated with lower LDL, SBP, insulin resistance and higher HDL concentrations among overweight and obese individuals. However, due to observational design of the study, causal inference is impossible and further studies are warranted to confirm our findings.

Coffee consumption prevents obesity-related comorbidities and attenuates brown adipose tissue whitening in high-fat diet-fed mice

This study aimed to evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effects of coffee consumption on molecular changes and adipose tissue remodeling in a murine model of high-fat diet-induced obesity. Three-month-old C57BL/6 mice were initially divided into 3 groups, namely, control (C), high fat (HF) and coffee prevention (HF-CP) groups, and the HF group was subdivided at the end of the 10th week into two subgroups, an HF group and a coffee treatment (HF-CT) group; thus, a total of 4 groups were investigated at the 14th week of the experiment. The HF-CP group had lower body mass than the HF group (-7%, P<0.05) and a better distribution of adipose tissue. Both groups that received coffee (HF-CP and HF-CT) showed improved glucose metabolism compared with the HF group. Coffee consumption also attenuated adipose tissue inflammation and showed decreased macrophage infiltration and lower IL-6 levels compared with the HF group (HF-CP: -337% %, P<0.05; HF-CT: -275%, P<0.05). Hepatic steatosis and inflammation were attenuated in the HF-CP and HF-CT groups. The HF-CP group showed more pronounced expression of genes involved in adaptive thermogenesis and mitochondrial biogenesis (PPARγ, Prdm16, Pcg1α, β3-adrenergic receptor, Ucp-1, and Opa-1) than the other experimental groups. Preventive coffee consumption associated with a high-fat diet ameliorates the metabolic profile related to the development of obesity and its comorbidities.

Coffee or tea: Anti-inflammatory properties in the context of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease prevention

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of premature death worldwide. Inflammation and its biomarkers, like C-reactive protein (CRP), among the risk factors, such as hypertension, lipid disorders, and diabetes, may be also responsible for the residual cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Modern lipid-lowering treatment with statins, ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, or bempedoic acid does not fully protect against inflammation. The recommendations of the International Lipid Expert Panel (ILEP) indicate selected nutraceuticals with anti-inflammatory properties. Diet may have a significant impact on inflammation. Especially interesting in the context of inflammation is the consumption of coffee and tea. These drinks in many observational studies significantly reduced cardiovascular risk and mortality. The question is whether the anti-inflammatory effects of these drinks contribute significantly to the observed clinical effects. Thus, in this narrative review, we primarily discuss the anti-inflammatory properties of consuming tea and coffee. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the studies and their meta-analyses, inconsistent results were obtained, which makes it impossible to conclusively state how clinically significant the potential anti-inflammatory properties of black and green tea and coffee are. A number of confounding factors can cause the inconsistency of the available results. Consumption of tea and coffee appears to increase adiponectin concentrations, decrease reactive oxygen species, decrease low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations (effect of green tea, etc.). Despite the still uncertain anti-inflammatory effect of tea and coffee, we recommend their consumption as a part of the healthy diet.

The Examination of the Influence of Caffeinated Coffee Consumption on the Concentrations of Serum Prolactin and Selected Parameters of the Oxidative-Antioxidant Balance in Young Adults: A Preliminary Report

We verified whether caffeinated coffee consumption influenced the concentrations of prolactin (PRL) and oxidative stress parameters: total antioxidant status (TAS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), uric acid (UA), total bilirubin (T-Bil), albumin (ALB), iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP)-in blood sera obtained at 15, 60, and 120 minutes after caffeinated coffee intake, in relation to the fasting point. The study participants were 33 young, healthy, nonsmoking volunteers (15 men, 18 women) aged 19-29 years. PRL concentrations significantly decreased (p < 0.05) after consumption, except at time point 15' in men (p > 0.05). In women, FRAP levels significantly increased over time, and significant changes were also observed for UA at 120' and ALB at 15'. In men, significant changes were found for levels of AOPP at 15', T-Bil and ALB at 15', iron at 60' and 120', and calcium at 120'. There were no significant differences in the levels of other examined parameters between the defined time points. In conclusion, the substances contained in caffeinated coffee decrease the level of prolactin and may also have an impact on selected parameters of oxidative stress, which could be the basis of future research focused on the identification of new therapeutic targets.

The Impact of Instant Coffee and Decaffeinated Coffee on the Gut Microbiota and Depression-Like Behaviors of Sleep-Deprived Rats

Objective

Based on our previous research, chronic paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) can cause depression-like behaviors and microbial changes in gut microbiota. Coffee, as the world’s most popular drink for the lack of sleep, is beneficial to health and attention and can eliminate the cognitive sequelae caused by poor sleep. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of coffee and decaffeinated coffee on PSD rats.

Research Design and Methods

A total of 32 rats were divided into four groups: control group, PSD model group, conventional coffee group, and decaffeinated coffee group. Behavioral tests, including sucrose preference test, open field test, forced swimming test, and tail suspension test, as well as biochemical detection for inflammatory and antioxidant indexes were performed. The effects of coffee and decaffeinated coffee on the gut microbiota of PSD rats were investigated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Results

Coffee and decaffeinated coffee significantly improved the depression-like behaviors. Moreover, the serum levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha were decreased in both coffee and decaffeinated coffee groups, as well as the levels of superoxide dismutase and GSH-Px were increased. Gut microbiota analysis revealed that the abundance of S24-7, Lachnospiraceae, Oscillospira, and Parabacteroides were significantly increased in PSD rats, while the abundance of Akkermansia and Klebsiella were significantly decreased. After the treatment of coffee and decaffeinated coffee, the abundance of the above gut microbiota was all restored in different degrees. Coffee had relatively more significant effects on PSD-induced depressive-like behaviors, while the difference between coffee and decaffeinated coffee was not obvious in correcting the disorder of gut microbiota.

Conclusions

These findings have shown that both coffee and decaffeinated coffee are effective for sleep deprivation-induced depression-like behaviors and the dysbiosis of gut microbiota and indicated that caffeine may be not the only key substance of coffee for regulating gut microbiota.

Beneficial Effects of the Consumption of Hot-Water Extracts of Thinned Immature Mangos (Mangifera indica “Irwin”) on the Hypertriglyceridemia of Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice

The thinned immature fruit of the mango tree (Mangifera indica “Irwin”) are regarded as waste products. In this study, we evaluated the effects of daily consumption of a hot-water extract of thinned immature mango fruits (TIMEx) on the dyslipidemia of apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE−/−) mice. ApoE−/− mice and wild-type BALB/c mice were fed a 20% fat diet containing 0%, 0.1%, or 1.0% TIMEx for 8 weeks. Their body mass, food intake, and water consumption were unaffected by the TIMEx. The 1.0% TIMEx supplementation significantly reduced serum triglyceride, but not total cholesterol concentration. This effect was significant in ApoE−/− mice, but less marked under normal conditions in wild-type mice. In addition, the circulating concentrations of three hormones that regulate metabolism, resistin, leptin, and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, were reduced by TIMEx consumption, which may be involved in its effect to prevent hypertriglyceridemia. However, none of the concentrations of TIMEx reduced the size of atherosclerotic plaque lesions. In conclusion, daily consumption of TIMEx ameliorates hypertriglyceridemia but not hypercholesterolemia in genetically predisposed mice.

Investigating the Relations Between Caffeine-Derived Metabolites and Plasma Lipids in 2 Population-Based Studies

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relations between caffeine-derived metabolites (methylxanthines) and plasma lipids by use of population-based data from 2 European countries.

METHODS

Families were randomly selected from the general population of northern Belgium (FLEMENGHO), from August 12, 1985, until November 22, 1990, and 3 Swiss cities (SKIPOGH), from November 25, 2009, through April 4, 2013. We measured plasma concentrations (FLEMENGHO, SKIPOGH) and 24-hour urinary excretions (SKIPOGH) of 4 methylxanthines-caffeine, paraxanthine, theobromine, and theophylline-using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We used enzymatic methods to estimate total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and the Friedewald equation for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in plasma. We applied sex-specific mixed models to investigate associations between methylxanthines and plasma lipids, adjusting for major confounders.

RESULTS

In both FLEMENGHO (N=1987; 1055 [53%] female participants) and SKIPOGH (N=990; 523 [53%] female participants), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels increased across quartiles of plasma caffeine, paraxanthine, and theophylline (total cholesterol levels by caffeine quartiles in FLEMENGHO, male participants: 5.01±0.06 mmol/L, 5.05±0.06 mmol/L, 5.27±0.06 mmol/L, 5.62±0.06 mmol/L; female participants: 5.24±0.06 mmol/L, 5.15±0.05 mmol/L, 5.25±0.05 mmol/L, 5.42±0.05 mmol/L). Similar results were observed using urinary methylxanthines in SKIPOGH (total cholesterol levels by caffeine quartiles, male participants: 4.54±0.08 mmol/L, 4.94±0.08 mmol/L, 4.87±0.08 mmol/L, 5.27±0.09 mmol/L; female participants: 5.12±0.07 mmol/L, 5.21±0.07 mmol/L, 5.28±0.05 mmol/L, 5.28±0.07 mmol/L). Furthermore, urinary caffeine and theophylline were positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in SKIPOGH male participants.

CONCLUSION

Plasma and urinary caffeine, paraxanthine, and theophylline were positively associated with plasma lipids, whereas the associations involving theobromine were less clear. We postulate that the positive association between caffeine intake and plasma lipids may be related to the sympathomimetic function of methylxanthines, mitigating the overall health-beneficial effect of caffeine intake.

Coffee and type 2 diabetes risk: Is the association mediated by adiponectin, leptin, c-reactive protein or Interleukin-6? A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

Coffee and diabetes risk association has been demonstrated in numerous studies; however, the exact mechanism has not been clarified yet. The present meta-analysis was conducted to cover the current knowledge regarding the effect of coffee on Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), in addition to the evaluation of adiponectin, leptin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels among coffee consumers as relatively possible mediators of this effect.

METHOD

A comprehensive search of the literature was carried out using search engines up to March 2020. The effect sizes were investigated using the standardised mean difference (SMD) and odds ratios (OR) or relative risk (RR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI). A total of 69 cross-sectional and cohort studies were included and divided as follows: 31 articles for T2D risk, 15 studies for adiponectin, 6 studies for leptin, 12 studies for CRP and 5 studies for IL-6.

RESULTS

Overall, coffee consumption was inversely associated with T2D risk with an estimated pooled RR of 0.73 (95% confidence interval [0.68, 0.80] for the highest vs lowest coffee consumption categories. The combined SMD between the different coffee intake categories, showed that coffee consumption was associated with higher adiponectin levels (P = .002), and lower level of leptin (P = .04) and CRP (P = .2), with apparently no change in IL-6 levels (P = .91).

CONCLUSION

The present meta-analysis showed strong epidemiological evidence that coffee consumption is inversely associated with the risk of T2D. Also, adiponectin, leptin concentrations appeared to be potential mediators of the coffee effect on diabetes, while IL-6 levels did not.

Post-diagnostic coffee and tea consumption and breast cancer survival

BACKGROUND

We examined the role of post-diagnostic coffee and tea consumption in relation to breast cancer-specific and all-cause mortality among women with breast cancer in prospective cohort studies.

METHODS

We identified 8900 women with stage I-III breast cancer from 1980 through 2010 in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and from 1991 through 2011 in the NHSII. Post-diagnostic coffee and tea consumption was assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire every 4 years after diagnosis.

RESULTS

During up to 30 years of follow-up, we documented 1054 breast cancer-specific deaths and 2501 total deaths. Higher post-diagnostic coffee consumption was associated with a lower breast cancer-specific mortality: compared with non-drinkers, >3 cups/day of coffee was associated with a 25% lower risk (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.59-0.96; P_trend = 0.002). We also observed a lower all-cause mortality with coffee consumption: compared with non-drinkers, >2 to 3 cups/day was associated with a 24% lower risk (HR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.66-0.87) and >3 cups/day was associated with a 26% lower risk (HR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.63-0.87, P_trend < 0.0001). Post-diagnostic tea consumption was associated with a lower all-cause mortality: compared with non-drinkers, >3 cups/day was associated with a 26% lower risk (HR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.58-0.95; P_trend = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Among breast cancer survivors, higher post-diagnostic coffee consumption was associated with better breast cancer and overall survival. Higher post-diagnostic tea consumption may be related to better overall survival.

The Influence of Nutrition on Adiponectin-A Narrative Review

The adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ which synthesizes and secretes a variety of adipokines, including adiponectin with its anti-inflammatory properties. Its expression is influenced by numerous factors such as age, sex, body weight and adipose tissue content. However, dietary factors, i.e., diet structure and the percentage of individual nutrients and products, are very important modulators. Beneficial dietary habits are the Mediterranean diet, DASH diet, diet based on plant products and diet with reduced energy value. Moreover, the share of individual products and nutrients which increase the concentration of adiponectin is worth noting. This group may include monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, polyphenols, alcohol and milk products. Conversely, dietary ingredients which have a negative effect on the concentration of adiponectin are typical components of the Western diet: saturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, monosaccharides and disaccharides, and red meat. Furthermore, a diet characterized by a high glycemic index such as a high-carbohydrate low-fat diet also seems to be unfavorable. Due to the fact that available knowledge should be systematized, this study aimed to summarize the most recent research on the influence of dietary factors on the concentration of adiponectin.

Significant Impact of Coffee Consumption on MR-Based Measures of Cardiac Function in a Population-Based Cohort Study without Manifest Cardiovascular Disease

Subclinical effects of coffee consumption (CC) with regard to metabolic, cardiac, and neurological complications were evaluated using a whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol. A blended approach was used to estimate habitual CC in a population-based study cohort without a history of cardiovascular disease. Associations of CC with MRI markers of gray matter volume, white matter hyperintensities, cerebral microhemorrhages, total and visceral adipose tissue (VAT), hepatic proton density fat fraction, early/late diastolic filling rate, end-diastolic/-systolic and stroke volume, ejection fraction, peak ejection rate, and myocardial mass were evaluated by linear regression. In our analysis with 132 women and 168 men, CC was positively associated with MR-based cardiac function parameters including late diastolic filling rate, stroke volume (p < 0.01 each), and ejection fraction (p < 0.05) when adjusting for age, sex, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, cholesterol, and alcohol consumption. CC was inversely associated with VAT independent of demographic variables and cardiovascular risk factors (p < 0.05), but this association did not remain significant after additional adjustment for alcohol consumption. CC was not significantly associated with potential neurodegeneration. We found a significant positive and independent association between CC and MRI-based systolic and diastolic cardiac function. CC was also inversely associated with VAT but not independent of alcohol consumption.

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Combined Effect of Body Weight and Coffee Consumption on Serum Levels of Leptin, Vitamin B12, and Folic Acid in Healthy Young Adult Males

Purpose

Studies on the effect of body weight and coffee consumption on leptin, vitamin B12, and folic acid are scarce and conflicting. This study investigates the effect of body weight and/or coffee consumption rate on the serum levels of these molecules in healthy young adult males.

Patients and Methods

This observational cross-sectional study was carried out at the faculty of pharmacy, Applied Science Private University (ASU), Amman, Jordan, from July to September 2020. Young healthy males were invited to participate in the study and fill a questionnaire regarding lifestyle habits including coffee consumption during the last 3 months, medical history, and anthropometric measurements. Depending on BMI and extent of coffee consumption, participants were divided into 4 groups; normal body weight and moderate coffee consumption (NW/MCC) group; normal body weight and heavy coffee consumption (NW/HCC) group; overweight and moderate coffee consumption (OW/MCC) group; overweight and heavy coffee consumption (OW/HCC) group. Serum samples were taken to measure leptin, vitamin B12, and folic acid levels in addition to morning and midnight salivary cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) samples.

Results

Healthy males (n = 122) aged 18 to 26 years continued participation in this study. Serum levels of leptin in NW/MCC, NW/HCC, OW/MCC, OW/HCC groups were 5.93, 5.75, 14.86, 16.79 ng/mL, respectively. Serum levels of vitamin B12 in these groups were 356.09, 402.71, 334.25, 331.05 pg/mL, respectively. While, the serum levels of folic acid were 8.92, 10.27, 10.12, 10.47 ng/mL, respectively. Body weight was positively associated with leptin (p = 0.00), negatively associated with vitamin B12 (p = 0.047), and not associated with folic acid (p = 0.235). Coffee consumption rate had no significant effect on leptin, vitamin B12, or folic acid. Finally, the combination of body weight and coffee consumption had no significant effect on leptin, vitamin B12, or folic acid.

Conclusion

There was no possible synergistic effect between body weight and coffee consumption rate on leptin, vitamin B12, or folic acid levels. However, overweight was associated with higher leptin, lower vitamin B12, and no change in folic acid levels.

Trial Registration

This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04488731.

Association of Coffee Intake With Survival in Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Importance

Several compounds found in coffee possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and insulin-sensitizing effects, which may contribute to anticancer activity. Epidemiological studies have identified associations between increased coffee consumption and decreased recurrence and mortality of colorectal cancer. The association between coffee consumption and survival in patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer is unknown.

Objective

To evaluate the association of coffee consumption with disease progression and death in patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This prospective observational cohort study included 1171 patients with previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer who were enrolled in Cancer and Leukemia Group B (Alliance)/SWOG 80405, a completed phase 3 clinical trial comparing the addition of cetuximab and/or bevacizumab to standard chemotherapy. Patients reported dietary intake using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire at the time of enrollment. Data were collected from October 27, 2005, to January 18, 2018, and analyzed from May 1 to August 31, 2018.

Exposures

Consumption of total, decaffeinated, and caffeinated coffee measured in cups per day.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

Results

Among the 1171 patients included in the analysis (694 men [59%]; median age, 59 [interquartile range, 51-67] years). The median follow-up time among living patients was 5.4 years (10th percentile, 1.3 years; IQR, 3.2-6.3 years). A total of 1092 patients (93%) had died or had disease progression. Increased consumption of coffee was associated with decreased risk of cancer progression (hazard ratio [HR] for 1-cup/d increment, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.91-1.00; P = .04 for trend) and death (HR for 1-cup/d increment, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.89-0.98; P = .004 for trend). Participants who consumed 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day had a multivariable HR for OS of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.67-1.00) and for PFS of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.68-0.99), compared with those who did not drink coffee. Participants who consumed at least 4 cups of coffee per day had a multivariable HR for OS of 0.64 (95% CI, 0.46-0.87) and for PFS of 0.78 (95% CI, 0.59-1.05). Significant associations were noted for both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee.

Conclusions and Relevance

Coffee consumption may be associated with reduced risk of disease progression and death in patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer. Further research is warranted to elucidate underlying biological mechanisms.

Caffeine Upregulates Hepatic Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin Production by Increasing Adiponectin Through AKT/FOXO1 Pathway in White Adipose Tissue

SCOPE

Epidemiological studies have shown that caffeine increases serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels. The relationship between caffeine and SHBG production has never been studied before at molecular level. The aim of this study is to examine whether caffeine regulates SHBG production and to determine the associated molecular mechanisms.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Two different studies are performed; in vitro studies using human HepG2 cells treated with caffeine (100 and 500 µm) and in vivo studies using a humanized SHBG transgenic mice drinking caffeine in the water (0.1 mg mL^-1 ) for 12 days. The results show that caffeine does not change SHBG production in HepG2 cells. By contrast, caffeine treatment increases significantly hepatic SHBG production in human SHBG transgenic mice when compared with control mice. Caffeine increases adiponectin levels in epididymal adipose tissue of human SHBG transgenic mice. Moreover, caffeine increases adiponectin production by reducing protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation which increases forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) protein levels in 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes and human SHBG transgenic mice. Finally, caffeine-induced increase in adiponectin in turn upregulates hepatic hepatocyte nuclear receptor 4-alpha (HNF-4α) levels in human SHBG transgenic mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The results show that caffeine upregulates hepatic SHBG expression by increasing adiponectin production through AKT/FOXO1 pathway in the adipose tissue.

Coffee Consumption and C-Reactive Protein Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Coffee contains bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, and its consumption may reduce c-reactive protein (CRP) levels, a biomarker of chronic inflammation. A previous meta-analysis reported no overall association between blood CRP level and coffee consumption by modeling the coffee consumption in categories, with substantial heterogeneity. However, the coffee cup volume was not considered. We conducted a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis investigating the association between coffee consumption and CRP levels reported in previous observational studies. A dose-response meta-analysis was conducted by mixed-effects meta-regression models using the volume of coffee consumed as metric. Eleven studies from three continents were identified using the PubMed database, totaling 61,047 participants. Three studies with the largest sample sizes observed a statistically significant association between coffee and CRP levels, which was inverse among European and United States (US) women and Japanese men (1.3%-5.5% decrease in CRP per 100 mL of coffee consumed) and positive among European men (2.2% increase). Other studies showed no statistically significant associations. When all studies were combined in the dose-response meta-analysis, no statistically significant associations were observed among all participants or when stratified by gender or geographic location, reflecting the conflicting associations reported in the included studies. Further studies are warranted to explore these inconsistent associations.

Associations of Coffee Consumption with the Circulating Level of Alanine Aminotransferase and Aspartate Aminotransferase. A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Background: The associations of coffee consumption with the circulating level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) remains controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies to sum up the existing evidence about this matter.Methods: A comprehensive literature-search up to January 2020, using PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases, was conducted to identify the relevant observational studies that examined the associations of coffee consumption with the circulating level of ALT and AST. The standard mean difference (SMD) for the level of ALT and AST, odds ratio (OR) for the elevated ALT and AST and their corresponding 95% CIs for the highest versus lowest categories of coffee intake were determined.Results: A total of 19 observational studies, which involved 222,067 individuals, were included in this meta-analysis. The combined SMD suggested that coffee consumption was associated with a lower level of ALT (SMD = -0.14, 95% CI: -0.22 to -0.06; p = 0.001) and AST (SMD = -0.17, 95% CI: -0.20 to -0.13; p < 0.001), respectively. Meanwhile, the overall multivariable adjusted OR showed that coffee consumption was inversely associated with the elevated ALT (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.60 to 0.79; p < 0.001) and AST (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.48 to 0.81; p < 0.001), respectively.Conclusion: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that coffee consumption is inversely associated with the circulating level of ALT and AST, and elevated ALT and AST. More randomized controlled trials are needed to elaborate the concerned issues.

Development of a food-based index of dietary inflammatory potential for Koreans and its relationship with metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Inflammation is known to be a risk factor for metabolic diseases. This study aimed to develop a Food-based Index of Dietary Inflammatory Potential (FBDI) and examine its association with metabolic biomarkers.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

This study analyzed the raw data from the 2012-2014 Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study data of 17,771 people. To analyze the relationship between foods consumed by Koreans and inflammation, we conducted a correlation analysis between 51 food groups and hs-CRP levels. The FBDI was developed from 17 food groups selected by multiple regression method. We examined whether FBDI was associated with metabolic markers (waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting glucose, triglyceride, and HDL-cholesterol) in the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). We used binary logistic regression analysis to examine the association.

RESULTS

The FBDI model included seven of the anti-inflammatory food groups and three of the pro-inflammatory food groups. The FBDI formula was calculated by multiplying the intake of food group by β-coefficients derived from the multiple regression model based on the correlation analysis. The FBDI was significantly associated with waist circumference (P < 0.001), blood pressure (P < 0.001), triglyceride level (P < 0.001), and HDL-cholesterol (P < 0.001) level among adults aged 20-64 years in the KNHANES. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 2.618 times higher in the group with the highest FBDI than in the group with the lowest one (95% confidence interval: 1.778-3.856, P for trend < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study established an FBDI reflecting food intake patterns of Koreans, which showed a significant relationship with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome.

Coffee consumption and plasma biomarkers of metabolic and inflammatory pathways in US health professionals

BACKGROUND

Coffee consumption has been linked to lower risk of various health outcomes. However, the biological pathways mediating the associations remain poorly understood.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the association between coffee consumption and concentrations of plasma biomarkers in key metabolic and inflammatory pathways underlying common chronic diseases.

METHODS

We investigated the associations of total, caffeinated, and decaffeinated coffee consumption with 14 plasma biomarkers, including C-peptide, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), IGF binding protein (IGFBP) 1, IGFBP-3, estrone, total and free estradiol, total and free testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), total adiponectin, high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin, leptin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (sTNFR-2). Data were derived from 2 cohorts of 15,551 women (Nurses' Health Study) and 7397 men (Health Professionals Follow-Up Study), who provided detailed dietary data before blood draw and were free of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer at the time of blood draw. Multivariable linear regression was used to calculate the percentage difference of biomarker concentrations comparing coffee drinkers with nondrinkers, after adjusting for a variety of demographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors.

RESULTS

Compared with nondrinkers, participants who drank ≥4 cups of total coffee/d had lower concentrations of C-peptide (-8.7%), IGFBP-3 (-2.2%), estrone (-6.4%), total estradiol (-5.7%), free estradiol (-8.1%), leptin (-6.4%), CRP (-16.6%), IL-6 (-8.1%), and sTNFR-2 (-5.8%) and higher concentrations of SHBG (5.0%), total testosterone (7.3% in women and 5.3% in men), total adiponectin (9.3%), and HMW adiponectin (17.2%). The results were largely similar for caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee.

CONCLUSION

Our data indicate that coffee consumption is associated with favorable profiles of numerous biomarkers in key metabolic and inflammatory pathways. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03419455.

Is Coffee and Green Tea Consumption Related to Serum Levels of Adiponectin and Leptin?

Coffee and green tea are two of most usual consumed beverages in the world which have several benefit components. Coffee and green tea have significantly inverse correlation with obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Adiponectin and leptin are the adipokines mostly secreted from adipose tissue and play the important roles on the status of chronic diseases. In the present study, we aimed to review the evidence about relationship between these beverages and adiponectin and leptin levels. We searched in PubMed to January 2013 using several key words such as coffee, green tea, caffeine, leptin, adiponectin, and adipokines. Finally, most related articles were recruited in this regard. Several findings suggested the positive association between coffee and adiponectin level. Different studies showed contradictory results regarding green tea and adiponectin level. However, most of them reported the positive role of green tea in adiponectin concentration. Fewer studies are conducted about the association between these beverages and leptin, and their results are controversial. More longitudinal investigations should be conducted in this regard to declare these associations.

Intensity-Specific and Modified Effects of Physical Activity on Serum Adiponectin in a Middle-Aged Population

Context

The effects of intensity-specific physical activity (PA) and its interaction with other lifestyle factors on serum adiponectin are currently unclear.

Objective

To investigate the effects of replacing sedentary time with either light-intensity PA (LPA) or moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) on total and high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin and to examine interactions with smoking, alcohol drinking, coffee consumption, and menopausal status in a general population.

Design/Setting

Cross-sectional study of 4013 men and 6050 women (40 to 69 years of age).

Main Outcome Measures

The associations of replacing sedentary time with LPA or MVPA on total and HMW adiponectin were analyzed using an isotemporal substitution model.

Results

In men, reallocating 60 minutes of sedentary time to 60 minutes of LPA was associated with 9% and 13% higher total and HMW adiponectin levels even after adjusting for confounders, although such associations were not observed for MVPA. A similar pattern of results was also seen in women. The effect of replacing sedentary time with LPA on adiponectin was clearer in middle/high coffee consumers than in low coffee consumers among women. Although increasing the effect of replacing sedentary time with MVPA on adiponectin was clearer in former/current smokers than in never smokers among men, the replacement effect for MVPA on total adiponectin was clearer in premenopausal women than in postmenopausal women.

Conclusions

Replacing sedentary time with LPA resulted in increased levels of total and HMW adiponectin. The replacement effects for LPA or MVPA were found to be multiply modified by smoking, coffee consumption, and menopausal status.

Caffeine: Well-known as psychotropic substance, but little as immunomodulator

To date, numerable reviews are found in the literature prominent to the effect of caffeine on the immune system, with the latest review published in 2006. Database screening reveals around three thousand articles that have been published during the last decade. Interestingly, less than hundred articles involved humans and rodents as tested models, out of which 20% is of interest to this paper excluding studies done on the nervous and cardiac systems, and in pregnant and cancer cases. In this review, information pertaining to the experimental setup of various studies, namely, the tested model, the study type (in vivo or in vitro), and caffeine dose is covered to discern the behaviour of major cellular and molecular immune components in light of caffeine exposure. Although it is hard to extrapolate results done in rodents to humans and to relay conclusions from in vitro to in vivo studies, most of the collected data favor the suppressive effects of caffeine on the proliferation of stimulated lymphocytes. Macrophages and natural killer cells also exhibited a reduced activity in the presence of high caffeine doses compared to increased activity at low doses. Immunosuppression is also supported by reduced levels of major anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α. Moreover, certain innate and adaptive immune receptors, such as TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, and MHC class I-related chain B (MICB) molecules, exhibited decreased expression levels. Thus, we support the use of caffeine to alleviate various inflammatory conditions and autoimmune diseases.

Coffee Consumption and Cardiovascular Disease: A Condensed Review of Epidemiological Evidence and Mechanisms

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages, and some studies have suggested it may be related to cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of poor health in the world. This review evaluates the evidence on the effect of habitual coffee consumption on CVD incidence and mortality. The review is based mostly on observational studies and meta-analyses of the literature. In healthy people, in comparison to not consuming coffee, habitual consumption of 3-5 cups of coffee per day is associated with a 15% reduction in the risk of CVD, and higher consumption has not been linked to elevated CVD risk. Moreover, in comparison to no coffee intake, usual consumption of 1-5 cups/day is associated with a lower risk of death. In people who have already suffered a CVD event, habitual consumption does not increase the risk of a recurrent CVD or death. However, hypertensive patients with uncontrolled blood pressure should avoid consuming large doses of caffeine. In persons with well-controlled blood pressure, coffee consumption is probably safe, but this hypothesis should be confirmed by further investigations.

Coffee Drinking and the Risk of Endometrial Cancer: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

BACKGROUND

Several compounds contained in coffee have been found to suppress carcinogenesis in experimental studies. We conducted a dose-response meta-analysis to assess the impact of coffee consumption on the risk of endometrial cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for studies published up to August 2016. Using random effects models, we estimated summary relative risks (RR) for cohort studies and odds ratios (OR) for case-control studies with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Dose-response analyses were conducted by using generalized least square trend estimation.

RESULTS

We identified 12 cohort studies and 8 case-control studies eligible for inclusion, contributing with 11,663 and 2,746 endometrial cancer cases, respectively. The summary RR for highest compared with lowest coffee intake was 0.74 (95% CI: 0.68-0.81; pheterogeneity = 0.09, I2 = 32%). The corresponding summary RR among cohort studies was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.71-0.85; pheterogeneity = 0.14, I2 = 31.9%) and 0.63 (95% CI: 0.53-0.76; pheterogeneity = 0.57, I2 = 0%) for case-control studies. One-cup increment per day was associated with 3% risk reduction (95% CI: 2-4%) in cohort studies and 12% (95% CI: 5-18%) in case-control studies. After pooling the results from 5 cohort studies, the association remained significant only in women with body mass index over 30 (RR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.61-0.81).

CONCLUSION

The results from our meta-analysis strengthen the evidence of a protective effect of coffee consumption on the risk of EC and further suggest that increased coffee intake might be particularly beneficial for women with obesity.

Targeted proteomic analysis of habitual coffee consumption

BACKGROUND

Coffee drinking has been implicated in mortality and a variety of diseases but potential mechanisms underlying these associations are unclear. Large-scale systems epidemiological approaches may offer novel insights to mechanisms underlying associations of coffee with health.

OBJECTIVE

We performed an analysis of known and novel protein markers linked to cardiovascular disease and their association with habitual coffee intake in the Prospective Study of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS, n = 816) and followed up top proteins in the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men (ULSAM, n = 635) and EpiHealth (n = 2418).

METHODS

In PIVUS and ULSAM, coffee intake was measured by 7-day dietary records whilst a computer-based food frequency questionnaire was used in EpiHealth. Levels of up to 80 proteins were assessed in plasma by a proximity extension assay.

RESULTS

Four protein-coffee associations adjusted for age, sex, smoking and BMI, met statistical significance in PIVUS (FDR < 5%, P < 2.31 × 10^-3 ): leptin (LEP), chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L), tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptor 6 and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand. The inverse association between coffee intake and LEP replicated in ULSAM (β, -0.042 SD per cup of coffee, P = 0.028) and EpiHealth (β, -0.025 SD per time of coffee, P = 0.004). The negative coffee-CHI3L association replicated in EpiHealth (β, -0.07, P = 1.15 × 10^-7 ), but not in ULSAM (β, -0.034, P = 0.16).

CONCLUSIONS

The current study supports an inverse association between coffee intake and plasma LEP and CHI3L1 levels. The coffee-CHI3L1 association is novel and warrants further investigation given links between CHI3L1 and health conditions that are also potentially influenced by coffee.

Coffee Intake Decreases Risk of Postmenopausal Breast Cancer: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis on Prospective Cohort Studies

Aim: A dose-response meta-analysis was conducted in order to summarize the evidence from prospective cohort studies regarding the association between coffee intake and breast cancer risk. Methods: A systematic search was performed in electronic databases up to March 2017 to identify relevant studies; risk estimates were retrieved from the studies and linear and non-linear dose-response analysis modelled by restricted cubic splines was conducted. A stratified and subgroup analysis by menopausal and estrogen/progesterone receptor (ER/PR) status, smoking status and body mass index (BMI) were performed in order to detect potential confounders. Results: A total of 21 prospective studies were selected either for dose-response, the highest versus lowest category of consumption or subgroup analysis. The dose-response analysis of 13 prospective studies showed no significant association between coffee consumption and breast cancer risk in the non-linear model. However, an inverse relationship has been found when the analysis was restricted to post-menopausal women. Consumption of four cups of coffee per day was associated with a 10% reduction in postmenopausal cancer risk (relative risk, RR 0.90; 95% confidence interval, CI 0.82 to 0.99). Subgroup analyses showed consistent results for all potential confounding factors examined. Conclusions: Findings from this meta-analysis may support the hypothesis that coffee consumption is associated with decreased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.

Coffee Intake Decreases Risk of Postmenopausal Breast Cancer: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis on Prospective Cohort Studies

Aim: A dose-response meta-analysis was conducted in order to summarize the evidence from prospective cohort studies regarding the association between coffee intake and breast cancer risk. Methods: A systematic search was performed in electronic databases up to March 2017 to identify relevant studies; risk estimates were retrieved from the studies and linear and non-linear dose-response analysis modelled by restricted cubic splines was conducted. A stratified and subgroup analysis by menopausal and estrogen/progesterone receptor (ER/PR) status, smoking status and body mass index (BMI) were performed in order to detect potential confounders. Results: A total of 21 prospective studies were selected either for dose-response, the highest versus lowest category of consumption or subgroup analysis. The dose-response analysis of 13 prospective studies showed no significant association between coffee consumption and breast cancer risk in the non-linear model. However, an inverse relationship has been found when the analysis was restricted to post-menopausal women. Consumption of four cups of coffee per day was associated with a 10% reduction in postmenopausal cancer risk (relative risk, RR 0.90; 95% confidence interval, CI 0.82 to 0.99). Subgroup analyses showed consistent results for all potential confounding factors examined. Conclusions: Findings from this meta-analysis may support the hypothesis that coffee consumption is associated with decreased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.

The inflammatory/cancer-related IL-6/STAT3/NF-κB positive feedback loop includes AUF1 and maintains the active state of breast myofibroblasts

The IL-6/STAT3/NF-κB positive feedback loop links inflammation to cancer and maintains cells at a transformed state. Similarly, cancer-associated myofibroblats remains active even in absence of cancer cells. However, the molecular basis of this sustained active state remains elusive. We have shown here that breast cancer cells and IL-6 persistently activate breast stromal fibroblasts through the stimulation of the positive IL-6/STAT3/NF-κB feedback loop. Transient neutralization of IL-6 in culture inhibited this signaling circuit and reverted myofibrobalsts to a normalized state, suggesting the implication of the IL-6 autocrine feedback loop as well. Importantly, the IL-6/STAT3/NF-κB pro-inflammatory circuit was also active in cancer-associated fibroblasts isolated from breast cancer patients. Transient inhibition of STAT3 by specific siRNA in active fibroblasts persistently reduced the level of the RNA binding protein AUF1, blocked the loop and normalized these cells. Moreover, we present clear evidence that AUF1 is also part of this positive feedback loop. Interestingly, treatment of breast myofibroblasts with caffeine, which has been previously shown to persistently inhibit active breast stromal fibroblasts, blocked the positive feedback loop through potent and sustained inhibition of STAT3, AKT, lin28B and AUF1. These results indicate that the IL-6/STAT3/NF-κB positive feedback loop includes AUF1 and is responsible for the sustained active status of cancer-associated fibroblasts. We have also shown that normalizing myofibroblasts, which could be of great therapeutic value, is possible through the inhibition of this procarcinogenic circuit.

Association Between Plasma Caffeine and Other Methylxanthines and Metabolic Parameters in a Psychiatric Population Treated With Psychotropic Drugs Inducing Metabolic Disturbances

Importance: Multiple studies conducted in the general population identified an association between self-reported coffee consumption and plasma lipid levels. To date, no study assessed whether and which plasma methylxanthines (caffeine and/or its metabolites, i.e., paraxanthine, theophylline, and theobromine) are associated with plasma lipids. In psychiatric patients, an important coffee consumption is often reported and many psychotropic drugs can induce a rapid and substantial increase of plasma lipid levels. Objective: To determine whether plasma methylxanthines are associated with metabolic parameters in psychiatric patients receiving treatments known to induce metabolic disturbances. Design, Setting, and Participants: Data were obtained from a prospective study including 630 patients with metabolic parameters [i.e., body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), and fasting triglycerides (TG)] monitored routinely during psychotropic treatment. Exposures: Plasma methylxanthines levels. Main Outcomes and Measures: Metabolic variables including BMI and plasma lipid levels. Results: Multivariate analyses indicated that BMI, TC, HDL-C, and non-HDL-C increased significantly with increasing total methylxanthines (p _corrected ≤ 0.05). In addition, compared to patients with plasma caffeine concentration in the lowest quartile, those with caffeine concentration in the highest quartile were twice more prone to suffer from non-HDL hypercholesterolemia (p _corrected = 0.05), five times more likely to suffer from hypertriglyceridemia (p _corrected = 0.01) and four times more susceptible to be overweight (p _corrected = 0.01). Conclusions and Relevance: This study showed that plasma caffeine and other methylxanthines are associated with worsening of metabolic parameters in patients receiving psychotropic treatments known to induce metabolic disturbances. It emphasizes that important caffeine consumption could be considered as an additional environmental risk factor for metabolic worsening in patients receiving such treatments.

Consumption of coffee or caffeine and serum concentration of inflammatory markers: A systematic review

Coffee consumption is associated with reduced risk of conditions that share low-grade inflammation as their physiopathological basis. We therefore summarized the effects of coffee or coffee components on serum levels of inflammatory markers. Clinical trials assessing the effect of coffee, caffeine or other coffee components on inflammatory markers were searched without restriction to publication date. Fifteen studies (8 involving coffee and 7 caffeine) were included. Increased adiponectin levels were found in four of seven trials comparing filtered coffee/caffeinated coffee with placebo or comparing its levels at baseline and after consumption of medium or dark roasted coffee, but no change was seen in caffeine trials. None of the five studies assessing the effects of coffee found changes in C-reactive protein (CPR), but one out of three trials found decreased CPR levels in response to caffeine. Interleukin (IL)-6 was increased by caffeinated coffee compared with placebo in one of four coffee trials, and by caffeine in three out of five studies. Caffeine increased IL-10 levels in two of three trials. These data suggest a predominant anti-inflammatory action of coffee but not of caffeine consumption. Moreover, the proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses to caffeine point to its complex effects on the inflammatory response.

J-shaped relationship between habitual coffee consumption and 10-year (2002-2012) cardiovascular disease incidence: the ATTICA study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the association between coffee consumption and 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence in the ATTICA study, and whether this is modified by the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) at baseline.

METHODS

During 2001-2002, 3042 healthy adults (1514 men and 1528 women) living in the greater area of Athens were voluntarily recruited to the ATTICA study. In 2011-2012, the 10-year follow-up was performed in 2583 participants (15% of the participants were lost to follow-up). Coffee consumption was assessed by a validated food-frequency questionnaire at baseline (abstention, low, moderate, heavy). Incidence of fatal or non-fatal CVD event was recorded using WHO-ICD-10 criteria and MetS was defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment panel III (revised) criteria.

RESULTS

Overall, after controlling for potential CVD risk factors, the multivariate analysis revealed a J-shaped association between daily coffee drinking and the risk for a first CVD event in a 10-year period. Particularly, the odds ratio for low (<150 ml/day), moderate (150-250 ml/day) and heavy coffee consumption (>250 ml/day), compared to abstention, were 0.44 (95% CI 0.29-0.68), 0.49 (95% CI 0.27-0.92) and 2.48 (95% CI 1.56-1.93), respectively. This inverse association was also verified among participants without MetS at baseline, but not among participants with the MetS.

CONCLUSIONS

These data support the protective effect of drinking moderate quantities of coffee (equivalent to approximately 1-2 cups daily) against CVD incidents. This protective effect was only significant for participants without MetS at baseline.

Effects of caffeine consumption in patients with chronic hepatitis C: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Increased caffeine consumption has been associated with a decreased risk of liver enzyme elevation, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, few studies have assessed these effects in patients with chronic hepatitis C; therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the impact of caffeine consumption in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection.

METHODS

We performed a comprehensive search of the databases of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and EMBASE from inception through November 2015. The inclusion criterion was observational studies' assessment of the impact of caffeine consumption in adult patients with chronic hepatitis C.

RESULTS

Eleven studies were included for full article review, and data was extracted from five observational studies for meta-analysis. The pooled odds ratio of advanced hepatic fibrosis in patients who had higher caffeine intake was 0.39 (95% confidence interval 0.21-0.72, P=0.003) compared with lower caffeine intake group. The statistical between-study heterogeneity was moderate with an I² of 70%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis demonstrated that caffeine intake is significantly associated with decreased odds of advanced hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Future prospective studies assessing the optimal dose and preparation of caffeinated beverages for prevention of hepatic fibrosis are needed.

Evolving role of adiponectin in cancer-controversies and update

Adiponectin (APN), an adipokine produced by adipocytes, has been shown to have a critical role in the pathogenesis of obesity-associated malignancies. Through its receptor interactions, APN may exert its anti-carcinogenic effects including regulating cell survival, apoptosis and metastasis via a plethora of signalling pathways. Despite the strong evidence supporting this notion, some work may indicate otherwise. Our review addresses all controversies critically. On the whole, hypoadiponectinaemia is associated with increased risk of several malignancies and poor prognosis. In addition, various genetic polymorphisms may predispose individuals to increased risk of obesity-associated malignancies. We also provide an updated summary on therapeutic interventions to increase APN levels that are of key interest in this field. To date efforts to manipulate APN levels have been promising, but much work remains to be done.

Polyphenols and Glycemic Control

Growing evidence from animal studies supports the anti-diabetic properties of some dietary polyphenols, suggesting that dietary polyphenols could be one dietary therapy for the prevention and management of Type 2 diabetes. This review aims to address the potential mechanisms of action of dietary polyphenols in the regulation of glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity based on in vitro and in vivo studies, and to provide a comprehensive overview of the anti-diabetic effects of commonly consumed dietary polyphenols including polyphenol-rich mixed diets, tea and coffee, chocolate and cocoa, cinnamon, grape, pomegranate, red wine, berries and olive oil, with a focus on human clinical trials. Dietary polyphenols may inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase, inhibit glucose absorption in the intestine by sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1), stimulate insulin secretion and reduce hepatic glucose output. Polyphenols may also enhance insulin-dependent glucose uptake, activate 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), modify the microbiome and have anti-inflammatory effects. However, human epidemiological and intervention studies have shown inconsistent results. Further intervention studies are essential to clarify the conflicting findings and confirm or refute the anti-diabetic effects of dietary polyphenols.

The association of coffee intake with liver cancer risk is mediated by biomarkers of inflammation and hepatocellular injury: data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition

BACKGROUND

Higher coffee intake has been purportedly related to a lower risk of liver cancer. However, it remains unclear whether this association may be accounted for by specific biological mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to evaluate the potential mediating roles of inflammatory, metabolic, liver injury, and iron metabolism biomarkers on the association between coffee intake and the primary form of liver cancer-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

DESIGN

We conducted a prospective nested case-control study within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition among 125 incident HCC cases matched to 250 controls using an incidence-density sampling procedure. The association of coffee intake with HCC risk was evaluated by using multivariable-adjusted conditional logistic regression that accounted for smoking, alcohol consumption, hepatitis infection, and other established liver cancer risk factors. The mediating effects of 21 biomarkers were evaluated on the basis of percentage changes and associated 95% CIs in the estimated regression coefficients of models with and without adjustment for biomarkers individually and in combination.

RESULTS

The multivariable-adjusted RR of having ≥4 cups (600 mL) coffee/d compared with <2 cups (300 mL)/d was 0.25 (95% CI: 0.11, 0.62; P-trend = 0.006). A statistically significant attenuation of the association between coffee intake and HCC risk and thereby suspected mediation was confirmed for the inflammatory biomarker IL-6 and for the biomarkers of hepatocellular injury glutamate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and total bilirubin, which-in combination-attenuated the regression coefficients by 72% (95% CI: 7%, 239%). Of the investigated biomarkers, IL-6, AST, and GGT produced the highest change in the regression coefficients: 40%, 56%, and 60%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that the inverse association of coffee intake with HCC risk was partly accounted for by biomarkers of inflammation and hepatocellular injury.

Coffee consumption and NAFLD: a community based study on 1223 subjects

Background

Objective of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate the impact of caffeine consumption on fatty liver and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations in a random population sample.

Methods

All subjects (n = 1452; 789 women, 663 men; average age 42.3 ± 12.8 years) underwent ultrasonographic examination of the liver and completed a standardized questionnaire regarding personal and lifestyle data, in particular relating to coffee consumption and past medical history. In addition, anthropometric data were documented and laboratory examinations performed. Statistical interpretation of the data was performed descriptively and by means of bivariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

Data of the present study demonstrated a significant association between hepatic steatosis male gender (p < 0.0001), advanced age (p < 0.0001) and elevated body-mass index (BMI; p < 0.0001). No association between caffeine consumption and fatty liver was identified. An association between caffeine consumption and elevated serum ALT concentrations was not identified.

Conclusions

The findings of the present study provide no evidence for an association between caffeine consumption and either the prevalence of hepatic steatosis or serum ALT concentrations.

Association of food consumption with total volumes of visceral and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue in a Northern German population

Excess accumulation of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is a known risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases; further, subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SAAT) and the ratio of both (VAT:SAAT ratio) have been discussed as potentially detrimental. Information about the association between diet and adipose tissue is scarce. This study aimed to identify food group intake associated with VAT and SAAT and the VAT:SAAT ratio in a Northern German population. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 344 men and 241 women who underwent an MRI to quantify total volumes of VAT and SAAT. Intake of fourteen food groups was assessed with a self-administered 112-item FFQ. Linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, energy intake, physical activity, intake of other food groups and mutual adjustment for VAT and SAAT were calculated to analyse the associations between standardised food group intake and VAT and SAAT, or the VAT:SAAT ratio. Intakes of potatoes (P=0·043) and cakes (P=0·003) were positively and inversely, respectively, associated with both VAT and SAAT. By contrast, intake of cereals was negatively associated with VAT (P=0·045) only, whereas intakes of eggs (P=0·006) and non-alcoholic beverages (P=0·042) were positively associated with SAAT only. The association between eggs and non-alcoholic beverages with SAAT remained significant after further consideration of VAT. Intake of non-alcoholic beverages was also inversely associated with the VAT:SAAT ratio (P=0·001). Our analysis adds to the evidence that intake of foods is independently associated with VAT or SAAT volumes.