Beneficial effects of coffee in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a narrative review

Introduction

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver pathology characterized by fat accumulation in the liver, following a sequence of steatosis, possible evolution in fibrosis, Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and finally in cirrhosis. Today liver diseases and in particular NAFLD, affects about 25% of the population worldwide, representing the main cause of chronic liver disease in industrialized countries^[1-4].

Lifestyle modifications such as maintaining a healthy diet and regular physical activityare key in reducing the onset of NAFLD^[5-9]. In particular, it is most important to remove all dietary compounds that can promote NAFLD, for example fructose, saturated fatty acids, carbohydrates with a high glycemic index, and foods with a high sodium content^[2,3]. Promotion of a balanced diet and loss of excess weight are also important in the context of this clinical condition. The reduction of at least 5% body weight is effective in reducing hepatic fat accumulation^[10,11].

In recent years, the Mediterranean diet has also been accredited as a therapeutic standard in the treatment of NAFLD^[12-17]. Different studies have showed how functional foods can positively influence our health^[5,18-22].

Among the functional foods, we find coffee the most promising; a drink appreciated and consumed all over the world^[23]. Different beneficial effects have been related to moderate and regular consumption of coffee. In particular, the intake of this drink has proven effective in reducing the risk of type IIdiabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal disorders, Parkinson disease, cardiovascular problems, and gallbladder stones^[24-28].

The present review aims to describe the beneficial effects of coffee consumption in patients with NAFLD.

Chemical components of coffee

Coffee, one of the most consumed beverages in the world, is composed of a large number of substances and polyphenols that contribute to making coffee a real functional food thanks to their beneficial activities. Among the main polyphenols in coffee, chlorogenic acid and ferulic acid [Figure 1] have shown promising antioxidative properties.

Figure 1. 2D chemical structures of caffeine (A), chlorogenic acid (B), ferulic acid (C)

The most representative and known compound of coffee is undoubtedly caffeine [Figure 1], an alkaloid naturally present in leaves, seeds, and fruits of coffee, tea, cocoa, cola, and guarana plants. Caffeineis absorbed in the stomach and first portion of the intestine within 10 min after ingestion, reaching a maximum concentration in the bloodstream after 45-60 min. Once absorbed by the body, caffeine is metabolized in the liver where it is converted into three dimethylxanthines: paraxanthine, theobromine, theophylline which contribute to enhancing its effects^[29].

In recent years, natural compounds have been the subject of several studies in order to identify their beneficial activities, and in this regard promising antifibrotic effects have been attributed to caffeine [Figure 2].

Figure 2. Beneficial effects of coffee on the liver

In particular, caffeine showed promising antifibrotic effect resulting from a series of biochemical processes initiated by liver cell stimulation causing induction of intracellular F-actin and cAMP expression, inhibition of focal adhesion kinase, inhibition of α-smooth muscle actin (α-sma), and up-regulation of the PPAR-α receptor (Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha) with action on fat deposits, as shown in Figure 2^[30,31]. Quan et al.^[32] showed that caffeine is able to reduce the gene expression of the transcription factors Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c and 2 (SREBP1c and SREBP2) in HepG2 cells which are involved in the synthesis of triglycerides and cholesterol in the liver. This down-regulation represents a particularly promising finding as it can facilitate the reduction ofhepatic lipid accumulation typically associated with NAFLD. In addition, caffeine also causes the reduction of 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase and low density lipoprotein receptor in a dose dependent manner.

Furthermore, Helal et al.^[33] conducted a study in animal models in order to demonstrate that the use of caffeine can improve liver damage induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). The rats were divided into four groups and treated for 16 weeks as follows: control group; HFD Group; HFD group and 20 mg of caffeine; HFD group and 30 mg of caffeine. HFD-induced liver injury was determined by evaluating the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin, bilirubin, triglycerides and cholesterol. Results indicated that caffeine treatment reduced elevated serum levels of ALT, AST, bilirubin and hepatic mRNA expression of fatty acid synthase and acetyl CoA carboxylase.

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a phenolic compound that is obtained from the combination of caffeic acid and (L)-quinic acid. It belongs to the family of polyphenols, substances with powerful antioxidant actions. It is well known that the polyphenols present in coffee as chlorogenic acid increase the production of antioxidants agents^[34]. Moreover, caffeine increases peroxiredoxin-1 which has positive effects on ROS, reducing oxidative stress at the level of hepatocytes^[34].

The synergistic effect of polyphenols and caffeine on hepatocytes also decreases insulin resistance, while polyphenols contained in caffeine exerts an antifibrotic effect on the liver, an action that has been widely highlighted in studies carried out on obese rats^[35]. It is present in high concentrations in green coffee and in other typical foods of the Mediterranean diet^[36,37]. Coffee roasting produces a compound that takes the name of hydroxy-hydroquinone, which however reduces its bioavailability. It is estimated that one liter of coffee provides between 500 and 800 mg of CGA^[38].

Ferulic acid (FA) is a phenolic acid found in coffee, in some cereals such as oats, wheat and rice, in artichokes and in some types of fruit. FA is a derivative of trans-cinnamic acid and is able to interfere with the expression and activity of cytotoxic enzymes such as nitric oxide synthase, caspases and the cyclooxygenase-2. Ferulic acid has been proposed as treatment for neurodegenerative, cardiovascular and diabetic disorders.

Furthermore, it must be emphasized that the interest in this compound has increased due to its potential therapeutic effects to reduce the deposition of triglycerides and cholesterol inhepatocytes, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties^[39,40].

Coffee and NAFLD

Among the several studies that analyzed the activities of coffee in NAFLD, Hosseinabadi et al.^[41] evaluated the effects of green coffee extract (GCE) on the lipid profile and adiponectin levels in patients with NAFLD. The randomized double-blind study was conducted on 48 patients aged between 20 and 60 years with a body mass index (BMI) between 25-35 kg/m². In this study the patients were divided into two groups, one group has been treated with 400 mg/die GCE and the other with placebo. The liver enzymes, lipid profile, adiponectin concentration, and degree of hepatic steatosis were analyzed at the beginning and at the end of the trial. The results showed that GCE supplementation significantly reduced BMI (MD: -0.57; 95%CI: -0.84 to -0.29; P < 0.001). Moreover the study also showed an increase in HDL levels (MD: 7.06; 95%CI: 0.25 to 13.87; P < 0.05) and a reduction in serum blood triglyceride levels (MD: -37.91; 95%CI: -72.03 to -3.80; P = 0.03) and total cholesterol (MD: -13.33; 95%CI: -26.04 to -0.61; P < 0.05) compared to the control group [Table 1].

Graeter et al.^[42] have assessed the impact of caffeine consumption on liver fat concentration and ALT values in a total population sample of 1,452 subjects, including 789 women, and 663 men with an average age of 42.3 years. After completing an informative questionnaire on personal data and lifestylewith particular focus on coffee consumption, the liver health of all patients were examined using ultrasound. Univariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between caffeine consumption and hepatic steatosis. From the results, a significant association emerged between hepatic steatosis and the male gender (P < 0.0001), the same significance was also detected for advanced age subjects (P < 0.0001) and the high body-mass index (BMI; P < 0.0001). However, no association was identified between caffeine consumption and liver fat levels, nor between caffeine consumption and high levels of ALT concentrations.

Bambha et al.^[43] have analyzed the effects of coffee intake in 782 NAFLD patients (n = 295 men) with an average age of 48 ± 12 years and an average BMI of 33.5 kg/m² with low levels of insulin resistance. Coffee intake was measured by cups per day (cpd), and was represented as follows: 0 cpd, n = 230; < 1 cpd, n = 219; 1- < 2 cpd, n = 116; ≥ 2 cpd, n = 217. During the study, IR was assessed using HOMA-IR and the association between coffee intake and NAFLD histological severity was modeled using multiple logistic regression. The study found that the effect of coffee on fibrosis varied with the degree of insulin resistance (IR) (interaction P = 0.001). Coffee consumers with less IR, defined as HOMA-IR < 4.3, had a lower probability of fibrosis (OR = 0.64; 95%CI: 0.46 to 0.88; P = 0.001). However, there was no protective effect of coffee on advanced fibrosis among individuals with higher HOMA-IR (OR = 1.06; 95%CI: 0.87 to 1.28; P = 0.6).

In the study of Anty et al.^[44] the influence of coffee and other caffeinated drinks on liver fibrosis of severely obese patients was assessed. A total of 195 patients with severe obesity, were enrolled for this trial and were given a specific questionnaire that analyzed the consumption of various types of coffee and other beverages containing caffeine and chocolate. The questionnaires showed that classic coffee and espresso were consumed in 30.8% and 50.2% of patients, respectively. According to logistic regression analysis, coffee consumption represents a protective factor for fibrosis [OR: 0.752 (0.578-0.9800); P = 0.035] in a model that included the level of AST[(OR: 1.04 (1.004-1.076); P = 0.029] and presence of NASH [OR: 2.41 (1.007-5.782); P = 0.048].

Zelber-Sagi et al.^[45], evaluated the association between coffee consumption and hepatic steatosis onset in a cohort of 347 patients, comparing them with a control group. Hepatic steatosis was quantified by ultrasound and SteatoTest and the degree of fibrosis was assessed by FibroTest. During recruitment, a questionnaire relating to coffee consumption was filled. The study found that neither the incidence nor the prevalence of steatosis was associated with coffee consumption. Moreover, coffee consumption was associated with a lower clinically significant percentage of fibrosis ≥ F2 (8.8% vs. 16.3%; P = 0.038) and the multivariate logistic regression analysis related the high coffee consumption with a lower probability of fibrosis (probability ratio = 0.49, 95% confidence interval, 0.25-0.97; P = 0.041). In a retrospective study by Hodge et al.^[46], a total of 1,018 patients (441 women, 577 men) affected by NAFLD, Hepatitis C (HCV), and hepatitis B (HBV) were recruited for determining the effects of coffee and tea intake on liver stiffness (SE). Data showed that SE was higher in males than in females (P < 0.05). HBV patients had a lower SE than those with HCV and NAFLD. Those who drank 2 or more cups of coffee a day had a lower SE (P = 0.044). Tea consumption had no effect on SE (P = 0.9). The study showed that coffee consumption reduces the SE with a decrease of fibrosis and inflammation.

Alferink et al.^[47] recruited 2,424 participants (age 66.5 ± 7.4; 43% male)who were asked to fill in a questionnaire on eating habits and lifestyle. All patients were examined by liver elastography and ultrasonography to evaluate liver stiffness and the degree of liver steatosis. Coffee and tea consumption were classified into: no intake (0), moderate (> 0-3) or frequent intake ≥ 3) (cups/day). Fibrosis was defined as a measure of SE. During course of the study, univariate linear and logistic regression analyzes were performed to examine the association between coffee, herbal /green/black tea consumption and SE. For the regression models, multivariable adjustments were made taking into consideration age, sex, BMI, insulin resistance, steatosis, serum ALT, alcohol intake, smoking, use of cream in coffee, use of sugar in tea or coffee and physical activity. The results showed that the SE was inversely related to a higher consumption of coffee (7.8%, 6.9% and 4.1% for non consumption, moderate and frequent respectively; P = 0.006). In general, frequent coffee consumption was inversely related to SE but not to steatosis. More in-depth analysis and studies are needed to validate the underlying mechanisms. The daily consumption of three or more cups of coffee was linked to the presence of a low SE, regardless of many other lifestyle and environmental factors.

Conclusion

Although the protective role of coffee in NAFLD is still controversial, several studies have shown that coffee consumption in patients with NAFLD can be protective against liver steatosis, progression of fibrosis and liver damage^[48]. The antioxidant capacity of coffee has been demonstrated in animal models of fatty liver, in which caffeine intake improves insulin resistance and reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, the weight of the animals and the intrahepatic levels of glucose were reduced with coffee consumption. However, not all the studies were concordant on the protective effect of coffee against NAFLD: controversial results may be due to the heterogeneity of the patients analyzed, the different protocols of research, and the different methods of collecting data. Furthermore, it should be emphasized that the content of caffeine and the different compounds typical of coffee can be influenced by the type of coffee examined, the type of roasting, the volume of water used, and the type of grinding: all these elements should therefore be standardized to avoid variations in the concentration of the most active compounds.

In conclusion, the overall trend emerging from the literature review suggests that regular coffee consumption might be a protective factor against the evolution of NAFLD complications, especially liver fibrosis. Additional studies should be carried out to further characterize the correlation between coffee and NAFLD. Many studies are still controversial by designs, methods, amount of caffeine or type of coffee used, measurements, different population investigated but research in this area should also focus on assessing the potential in taking this drink, quantifying the methods and number of intakes that generate an effective advantage. Pending further research, we can suggest that moderate consumption of 2-3 cups of coffee a day in patients with NAFLD should be encouraged.