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Caffeine’s Mechanism For Preventing Alchoholic Pancreatitis Unlocked

April 19th, 2006

Pancreatitis is a disorder wherein the body actually digests portions of the Pancreas. It is often caused by alchoholism, and has long been known to be inhibited by the consumption of coffee. A new study has finally found the reason for the coffee’s effect on the disease. This is as reported by the University of Liverpool in the publication TRENDS in Pharmacological Sciences and Gastroenterology.

A press release from U of L states:

Researchers at the University have now discovered that caffeine can partially close special channels within cells, reducing to some extent the damaging effects of alcohol products on the pancreas.

Professor Ole Petersen and Professor Robert Sutton, from the University’s Physiological Laboratory and Division of Surgery, have found that cells in the pancreas can be damaged by products of alcohol and fat formed in the pancreas when oxygen levels in the organ are low. Under these conditions, excessive amounts of calcium are released from stores within the cells of the pancreas. Special organelles, called mitochondria, also become damaged and cannot produce the energiser that normally allows calcium to be pumped out of the cells. The excess calcium then activates protein breakdown, destroying the cells in the pancreas.

Professor Petersen explains: “The primary cause of the build up in calcium ion concentration is movement of calcium ions from a store inside the cells into the cell water through special channels in the store membrane. We have found that caffeine, present in drinks such as coffee can at least partially close these channels. This explains why coffee consumption can reduce the risk of alcoholic pancreatitis. The caffeine effect, however, is weak and excessive coffee intake has its own dangers, so we have to search for better agents.

So, if you are a heavy drinker, think about switching to Irish Coffee, or making that hooch a chaser for a nice latte.

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Entry Filed under: Caffeine, General Health