Caffeine Consumption Associated with Less Severe Liver Fibrosis
Study Finds Caffeine in Sources other than Coffee Does Not Have Similar Effect
Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) who consumed more than 2 ¼ cups of coffee daily had milder liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis or scarring of the liver is the second stage of liver disease and characterized by a degradation of liver function due to accumulated connective tissue.
The analysis included 177 participants who were undergoing liver biopsy with a mean age of 51 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 27.5. Daily consumption of caffeine from food and beverages ranged from none to 1028 mg/day with an average of 195 mg/day, which is equivalent to 1.4 cups of coffee daily. Most caffeine consumed came from regular coffee (71%) followed by caffeinated soda (13%), and black tea (4%).
“Our data suggest that a beneficial effect requires caffeine consumption 
above a threshold of approximately 2 coffee-cup equivalents daily.”
Caffeinated coffee had the most pronounced effect on reduced liver fibrosis. The authors suggest that further research is needed to determine if the protective benefits of coffee/caffeine intake plateau at amounts beyond the daily consumption threshold.
Liver Stiffness Measurements Identify Patients with Rapid or Slow Fibrosis
Life-Saving Therapeutic Interventions Possible with Early Detection of Hepatitis C Recurrence
A recent study determined that repeated liver stiffness measurements (LSM) in the first year following liver transplant (LT) could accurately discriminate between slow and rapid recurrence of hepatitis C virus (HCV). This could allow for early-stage administration of therapies that could prevent LT or graft failure. “Our study clearly shows two different speeds of liver fibrosis progression during the first year after LT.”
A multivariate analysis showed that only bilirubin levels and LSN were predictors of fibrosis. “Using non-invasive detections such as LSM or bilirubin levels at 6 months can accurately predict the risk to develop significant fibrosis in LT patients.”
In the U.S. the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) recorded that 4747 Americans underwent LTs during 2009. Past studies have shown a recurrence of HCV is the first cause of graft loss and reduction in patient survival in most liver transplant programs.