Coffee, Cirrhosis, and Transaminase Enzymes

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Abstract
Long-term ingestion of large amounts of alcohol is the most common cause of liver cirrhosis in developed countries,1-6 with the total lifetime ethanol dosage considered to be the key factor.6-9 Women may be more susceptible,10,11 and ethnic differences in risk have been cited.10 The amount of alcohol consumed and an individual's drinking pattern also play a role,2,12 so it is difficult to definitively establish independence of the demographic traits from these features. Because most long-term heavy alcohol drinkers do not develop cirrhosis,4,6,12 there are other predisposing traits. Other possible cofactors include genetic susceptibility, nutritional status, immune-mediated mechanisms, cigarette smoking, diet, and interactions with other hepatotoxins.3,4,6,7,9,10,12,13