THE EFFECT OF COFFEE CONSUMPTION ON LIVER ENZYMES AND BILIRUBIN IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS

This study was carried out to determine the effect of coffee consumption on liver enzymes and bilirubin in healthy subjects. Analysis of serum AST, ALT and ALP levels with those of serum bilirubin were carried out. Random blood samples (prior to and after coffee consumption for 2 months) were collected from 58 healthy subjects and the serum liver enzymes (ALP, AST and ALT) and Bilirubin (Total and conjugated) values estimated. Decreased levels of liver enzymes (ALP) and bilirubin are associated with prolonged consumption of filtered coffee by 26 subjects. The initial mean serum values are thus: ALP: 54.08 + 10.63 W/L, AST : 14.04 + 2.75 W/L, ALT: 13: 00 + 2.15 will, Total bilirubin : 0. 54 + 0.17 mgldl and conjugated bilirubin: +0.28 + 0.08 mgldl, while the final values are as follows: ALP : 32.04+ 10.69 will, AST : 13.77+2.75 will, ALT: 12.77+ 2.12 W/L, Total bilirubin : 0.07+0.05 mgldl and conjugated bilirubin 0.07 + 0.05 mg/dl. Also, in 32 subjects placed on unfiltered coffee, elevated levels of ALT and decreased levels of ALP and bilirubin are associated with unfiltered coffee intake. The initial serum liver enzymes and bilirubin levels include: ALP _ 52.91 + 10.82 iu/L, AST _ 12.75 + 2.03 iu/L, ALT _ 13.00 + 2.31 iu/L, Total bilirubin 0.63 + 0.16 and conjugated bilirubin_ 0.31 + 0.08 mgldl when compared with the final values_ of 30.22 + 10.01 for ALP, 14.75 + 2.03 for AST, 29.84 + 2.16 for ALT, 0.12 + 0.05 - Total bilirubin and 0.03 + 0.05 mgldl for conjugated bilirubin respectively. These observations suggest that prolonged intake of filtered coffee decreases serum concentrations of ALP and bilirubin and has negligible effect on AST and ALT while unfiltered coffee also decreases ALP and bilirubin levels but raises ALT and has no effect on AST levels.