Nutr Res Pract.  2023 Aug;17(4):631-640. 10.4162/nrp.2023.17.4.631.

Effects of coffee intake on airway hypersensitivity and immunomodulation: an in vivo murine study

• Wong YC
• Hsu WC
• Wu TC
• Huang CF

• KMID: 2545181
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2023.17.4.631

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Coffee is a complex chemical mixture, with caffeine being the most well-known bioactive substance. The immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of coffee and caffeine impact health in various aspects, including the respiratory system. The objective is to investigate the effects of coffee and caffeine on airway hyperresponsiveness and allergic reactions, as well as to analyze and compare associated cytokine profiles.
MATERIALS/METHODS
BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and given OVA inhalation to induce airway hypersensitivity. Two weeks after sensitization, they were intragastrically gavaged with coffee or caffeine, both containing 0.3125 mg caffeine, daily for 4 weeks. Control mice were fed with double-distilled water. Serum OVAspecific antibody levels were measured beforehand and 5 weeks after the first gavage. Airway hyperresponsiveness was detected by whole body plethysmography after gavage. Cytokine levels of bronchoalveolar lavage and cultured splenocytes were analyzed.
RESULTS
Coffee effectively suppressed T helper 2-mediated specific antibody response. Airway responsiveness was reduced in mice treated with either coffee or caffeine. Compared to the control, coffee significantly reduced OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgG1 and IgE antibody responses (P < 0.05). Caffeine also attenuated specific IgG and IgG1 levels, though IgE level was unaffected. Coffee significantly reduced interleukin (IL)-4 and increased IL-10 concentration in spleen cells and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Coffee effectively attenuated airway hyperresponsiveness and systemic allergic responses induced by OVA food allergen in mice. As a complex composition of bioactive substances, coffee displayed enhanced immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects than caffeine.

Keyword

Asthma; bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; caffeine; coffee; respiratory hypersensitivity

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Experimental protocol. BALB/c mice were i.p. sensitized twice with OVA in alum during a 2 weeks interval. Two weeks after the last sensitization, the mice were inhaled with OVA aerosol 3 times within 1 week. One week after the first OVA inhalation, the mice were i.g. gavage with coffee, caffeine or ddH2O. Blood were collected 1 week after the final of gavage. Mice were exposed to OVA aerosol again 3 weeks after the final gavage. Airway responsiveness were detected 1 day after the final OVA inhalation. Spleen and BAL lavage were collected 1 week later.BAL, bronchoalveolar lavage; OVA, ovalbumin; i.p., intraperitoneally; i.g., intragastrically; BALF, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

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  Fig. 2 Effect of coffee or caffeine intake on specific antibody responses. Groups of 6 BALB/c mice were sensitized with and treated as described in Fig. 1. Serum specific (A) IgG, (B) IgG1, and (C) IgG2a antibody responses (titers) 1 week after the final gavage were assessed by ELISA, and (D) IgE by in vivo passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test. Results are shown as mean ± SD. Significant differences were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and post-hoc Scheffé test or Mann-Whitney U test.Ig, immunoglobulin; ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.*P < 0.05 and **P < 0.005 compared to ddH2O group.

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  Fig. 3 Effect of coffee or caffeine treatment on cytokine levels in cultured spleen cells. Groups of 6 BALB/c mice were treated as described in Fig. 1. One week after the final aerosol challenge, their spleen cells were collected and cultured for 1 to 3 days. The cytokine levels in the supernatant were measured in duplicate by sandwich ELISA kits. (A) IL-4, (B) IL-10, and (C) IFN-γ. Results are shown as mean ± SD. Significant differences between groups were determined by one-way analysis of variance and post-hoc Scheffé test.ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; IL, interleukin; IFN, interferon.*P < 0.05 compared to ddH2O group.

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  Fig. 4 Effect of coffee or caffeine gavage on cytokine levels of BALF. Groups of 6 BALB/c mice have the same treatment as described in Fig. 3. BALF was collected 1 week after the final aerosol challenge. The cytokine levels in BALF were examined in duplicate by sandwich ELISA kits. Refer to Fig. 1 for details of the experimental protocols. (A) IL-4, (B) IL-10, and (C) IFN-γ. Results are shown as mean ± SD. Significant differences between groups were determined by one-way analysis of variance and post-hoc Scheffé test.BALF, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; IL, interleukin; IFN, interferon.*P < 0.05 and **P < 0.005 compared to ddH2O group.

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  Fig. 5 Effect of coffee or caffeine therapy on airway hyperresponsiveness. Groups of 6 BALB/c mice were sensitized and treated as described in Fig. 1. One day after the final aerosol challenge, airway responsiveness were measured 1 day after the final aerosolized OVA challenge using a whole-body plesthysmograph. Results are shown as mean ± SD. The concentration of methacholine denotes the concentration required to reach airway hyperresponsiveness. Significant differences between groups were determined by one-way analysis of variance and post-hoc Scheffé test.OVA, ovalbumin; Penh, enhanced pause.*P < 0.05 compared to ddH2O group.

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