Caffeine Reduces the Hepatotoxicity of Paracetamol in Mice

Abstract

Paracetamol causes extensive liver damage when taken in overdose quantities; however, it is less hepatotoxic when administered in combination with caffeine. The present work in mice was undertaken to study the effect of caffeine on mortality rates and biochemical and histological parameters of liver damage after administration of toxic doses of paracetamol. It was found that caffeine markedly increased the survival rate after administration of a dose of paracetamol that was lethal to 50% and 100% of mice, reduced liver damage as assessed by serum glutamic pyruvic and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activities, partially prevented the depletion of reduced glutathione and reduced histological changes to the liver accompanying paracetamol intoxication. The results support the possibility that caffeine might be useful for the treatment of paracetamol intoxication in humans.

Multiscale modeling reveals inhibitory and stimulatory effects of caffeine on acetaminophen‐induced toxicity in humans

“…15 In recent studies, the concomitant administration of APAP and CAF in rats and mice resulted in either a potentiation or a reduction of APAP-induced hepatotoxicity, respectively. 3,4,[16][17][18] A possible explanation for these observations is the impact of CAF on the formation of NAPQI either due to inhibitory or stimulatory effects. Results obtained in rat and mice liver microsomes suggested an involvement of CAF on APAP metabolism mediated by CYP enzymes.…”

Caffeine as a photoprotective agent for diminishing phototoxicity

“…Both genotoxic and protective effects have been seen under in vitro system of prokaryotic cell and mammalian cell. However, there is no strong evidence showing adverse effects on DNA or mutation induction in the study of in vivo mammalian system, while promising protective effects on DNA and cells have been reported (Farooqi and Kesavan, 1992;Rainska et al, 1992;Schwarzschild et al, 2003;Weiss et al, 1997).…”