A recent study has found that caffeine inhibits the adhesion and activation of hepatic stellate cells, which attenuates the progression of liver fibrosis. The researchers assessed cell migration and proliferation of LX-2 cells (an immortalized human hepatic stellate cell line) in vitro in the presence of different caffeine concentrations. Liver fibrosis and inflammation were assessed in rats treated with and without caffeine supplementation. In the LX-2 cells, caffeine increased apoptosis and the expression of F-actin and cAMP. In the rats, caffeine decreased periportal inflammation, levels of inflammatory cells and fibrosis.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER
Shim, S. G. et al. Caffeine attenuates liver fibrosis via defective adhesion of hepatic stellate cells in cirrhotic model. J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. doi:10.1111/jgh.12317
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How caffeine affects liver fibrosis is revealed. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 10, 442 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2013.130
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2013.130