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Trigonelline is not responsible for the acute increase in plasma homocysteine following ingestion of instant coffee

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 58, pages 1253–1256 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether trigonelline contributes to the effect of coffee on homocysteine (Hcy).

Design and interventions: This was a randomised crossover study. Subjects consumed 50 mg trigonelline, 5 g of instant coffee (≈50 mg trigonelline) or water, consumed as a single dose in 100 ml, with 1 week between each treatment. Blood samples were drawn fasting and hourly for 8 h. Urine samples were collected pretreatment and every 2 h for 8 h.

Setting: Christchurch Clinical Studies Trust, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Subjects: Eight healthy male subjects.

Results: Instant coffee raised plasma Hcy concentrations compared with water (P=0.019) and trigonelline (P=0.037). Plasma Hcy concentrations were not different between water and trigonelline treatments (P=0.789). The change in plasma Hcy concentration was higher (mean±s.e.) 4 h (0.7±0.2 μmol/l, P=0.006), 5 h (0.7±0.2 μmol/l, P=0.013) and 7 h (0.7±0.2 μmol/l, P=0.024) following coffee consumption. Urinary glycine betaine excretion was increased by coffee but not by trigonelline.

Conclusion: Ingestion of instant coffee acutely elevated plasma Hcy; however, trigonelline is not responsible for this rise.

Sponsorship: Supported by the Health Research Council, the Canterbury Medical Foundation, the Foundation of Research, Science and Technology.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the volunteers for their participation, Professor Richard Robson for the use of the Canterbury Clinical Studies Trust facilities, Bridget Wilson for assistance with sample collection, Linda Pike for homocysteine analysis, Professor John W Blunt for his assistance with the 1H-NMR work and Dr Chris Frampton for statistical advice and analyses.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biochemistry Unit, Canterbury Health Laboratories, Christchurch, New Zealand

    S Slow, W E Miller, M Lever & P M George

  2. Department of Nephrology, Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand

    D O McGregor

  3. Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

    M B Lee

  4. Department of Infectious Diseases, Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand

    S T Chambers

  5. Department of Pathology, Christchurch School of Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand

    S T Chambers

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  1. S Slow
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  5. M Lever
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Correspondence to S Slow.

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Slow, S., Miller, W., McGregor, D. et al. Trigonelline is not responsible for the acute increase in plasma homocysteine following ingestion of instant coffee. Eur J Clin Nutr 58, 1253–1256 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601957

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