Traditional kava beverage consumption and liver function tests in a predominantly Tongan population in Hawaii.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of traditionally prepared kava beverages on the liver function tests of regular kava beverage consumers in a population of Tongan and non-Tongan residents of Hawaii (Oahu).


METHODS
The liver function tests of 31 healthy adult kava drinkers were compared against a control group of 31 healthy adult non-kava drinkers. Subjects were recruited from the general population, a kava bar, and Tongan kava drinking circles. The liver function profile included AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, and bilirubin (total and direct). Other tests included total protein, albumin, and screens for viral hepatitis and hemochromatosis when indicated.


RESULTS
Chronic kava beverage consumption was associated with elevation of GGT in 65% of the kava drinkers versus 26% in the controls (P = .005). ALP was elevated in 23% of kava drinkers versus 3% in the controls (P = .053).


CONCLUSIONS
Heavy kava beverage consumption was associated with significantly elevated GGT levels.
Brown
Amy C
AC
Department of Complementary & Alternative Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. amybrown@hawaii.edu
Onopa
Janet
J
Holck
Peter
P
Kaufusi
Pakieli
P
Kabasawa
Derek
D
Craig
Winston J
WJ
Dragull
Klaus
K
Levine
Arieh M
AM
Baker
Jonathan D
JD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001628:Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006254:Hawaii; D006801:Humans; D020901:Kava / Q000737:chemistry*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044468:Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood*
D010936:Plant Extracts; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D001663:Bilirubin