Protective effect of a coffee preparation (Nescafe pure (R)) against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats

Background & aims: We examined the effects of a coffee preparation on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and explored the possible mechanisms. Methods: Rats were divided randomly into four groups: control. CCl4, and two coffee preparation groups. Except for the control group, liver fibrosis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by subcutaneous injection with 40% CCl4 twice a week for 8 weeks. At the same time, a coffee preparation (300 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg) was administered to the two coffee preparation groups intragastrically once daily. Results: Upon pathological examination, a coffee preparation treatment significantly reduced liver damage and symptoms of liver fibrosis. The mRNA expression of collagen I, collagen III, bcl-2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) were markedly increased by CCl4 treatment but suppressed by a coffee preparation treatment. Whereas compared with the CCl4 group, the mRNA expression of Bax was increased in the coffee preparation group. The protein expression of Bax and bcl-2 were confirmed by western blot. Intragastric administration of a coffee preparation reduced the protein expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and the glucose-regulated proteins (GRP) 78 and 94 in rats increased by CCl4. Conclusions: Our data indicate that a coffee preparation can efficiently inhibit CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats. The coffee preparation may therefore be a potential functional food for preventing liver fibrosis. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.