Coffee Intake And Liver Enzyme Association In Korean Immigrants And Japanese: A Comprehensive Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives: Significant inverse association between coffee intake and the levels of liver enzymes has been reported. We demonstrated higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Korean immigrants (KIs) than in indigenous Japanese (Us). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the association between coffee intake and liver enzyme levels was different between the 2 ethnic groups. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study including a total of 966 subjects comprising KIs and Us. The association between the quintiles of coffee intake and dichotomous values of liver enzymes was evaluated by logistic regression analysis in KIs, Us, a high-risk group (current smokers or alcohol drinkers >= 45 g/day), and a low-risk group (non-smokers and alcohol drinkers <45 g/day). Results: In KIs, a significant inverse association between coffee intake and serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels was observed. In the Us, a significant inverse association between coffee intake and serum alanine aminotransferase levels was observed. In the high-risk-group, a significant inverse association between coffee intake and serum AST and gamma-glutamyltransferase levels was observed. Conclusion: No difference was observed between KIs and Us regarding the association between coffee and liver enzymes. Coffee might inhibit hepatic damage by alcohol drinking and smoking. (C) 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel