title: Effects of coffee consumption in chronic hepatitis C: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Coffee is associated with a reduced risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic C hepatitis. This prospective trial was aimed at assessing the mechanisms underlying coffee-related protective effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients with chronic hepatitis C were randomized into two groups: the first consumed 4 cups of coffee/day for 30 days, while the second remained coffee "abstinent". At day 30, the groups were switched over for a second month.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were lower in patients drinking 3-5 (Group B) than 0-2 cups/day (Group A) (56 ± 6 vs 74 ± 11/60 ± 3 vs 73 ± 7 U/L p=0.05/p=0.04, respectively). HCV-RNA levels were significantly higher in Group B [(6.2 ± 1.5) × 10(5)vs (3.9 ± 1.0) × 10(5)UI/mL, p=0.05]. During coffee intake, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and collagen levels were significantly lower than during abstinence (15 ± 3 vs 44 ± 16 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine/10(5)deoxyguanosine, p=0.05 and 56 ± 9 vs 86 ± 21 ng/mL, p=0.04). Telomere length was significantly higher in patients during coffee intake (0.68 ± 0.06 vs 0.48 ± 0.04 Arbitrary Units, p=0.006). Telomere length and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine were inversely correlated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In chronic hepatitis C coffee consumption induces a reduction in oxidative damage, correlated with increased telomere length and apoptosis, with lower collagen synthesis, factors that probably mediate the protection exerted by coffee with respect to disease progression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences, Section of Gastroenterology, Padua University, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Romilda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cardin
authors.forename: Marika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piciocchi
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martines
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Scribano
authors.forename: Marino
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petracco
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Farinati
mesh_terms: D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003069:Coffee; D003094:Collagen / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003849:Deoxyguanosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000201:enzymology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D016615:Telomere / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D003069:Coffee; D012367:RNA, Viral; D002110:Caffeine; D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D003094:Collagen; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D003849:Deoxyguanosine