Beneficial effect of daily coffee consumption on stabilizing serum ALT level among patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection
Published on Dec 12, 2013
The research group of Associate Professor Yachiyo Sasaki of the Graduate School of Nursing and Assistant Professor Satoko Ohfuji of the Graduate School of Medicine has reported the beneficial effects of filtered coffee consumption on the serum liver enzyme among patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Previous studies already suggested that coffee consumption was associated with lower alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels among healthy adults. The present study focused on patients with HCV infection and found that daily consumption of filtered coffee had the beneficial effect for stabilizing ALT levels during 12 months of follow-up. This study is the first study in which coffee had a favorable effect for ALT reduction among liver disease patients with higher baseline ALT levels. The study results were published in the on-line scientific journal PLOS ONE on 11 December 2013.
| Journal name | PLOS ONE |
| URL | http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0083382 |
| Article Title | Effect of Caffeine-containing Beverage Consumption on Serum Alanine Aminotransferase Levels in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection: A Hospital-based Cohort Study |
| Authors | Yachiyo Sasaki, Satoko Ohfuji, Wakaba Fukushima, Akihiro Tamori, Masaru Enomoto, Daiki Habu, Shuji Iwai, Sawako Uchida-Kobayashi, Hideki Fujii, Susumu Shiomi, Norifumi Kawada, Yoshio Hirota |
Background
In Japan, HCV infection is a main cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and approximately 80% of patients with HCC have a positive result for HCV infection. About two million people are chronically infected with HCV in Japan.
In addition, patients with higher ALT levels have been reported to be at high risk for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, identification of factors to control the ALT level is an important issue in patients with HCV.
Inquiries regarding research
Yachiyo Sasaki, Associate Professor, Osaka City University Graduate School of Nursing
E-mail: y-sasaki@nurs.osaka-cu.ac.jp
Satoko Ohfuji, Lecturer, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine
E-mail: satop@med.osaka-cu.ac.jp