Coffee, adenosine, and the liver

A variety of observational studies have demonstrated that coffee, likely acting through caffeine, improves health outcomes in patients with chronic liver disease. The primary pharmacologic role of caffeine is to act as an inhibitor of adenosine receptors. Because key liver cells express adenosine receptors linked to liver injury, regeneration, and fibrosis, it is plausible that the biological effects of coffee are explained by effects of caffeine on adenosinergic signaling in the liver. This review is designed to help the reader make sense of that hypothesis, highlighting key observations in the literature that support or dispute it.

Automated summary

Several observational studies have shown that coffee, possibly due to caffeine, improves the health outcomes of patients with chronic liver disease. The main pharmacological role of caffeine is to inhibit adenosine receptors. As adenosine receptors linked to liver injury, regeneration, and fibrosis are expressed in key liver cells, it is likely that the effects of coffee are explained by the impact of caffeine on adenosinergic signaling in the liver.