Consumption of French-press coffee raises cholesteryl eater transfer protein activity levels before LDL cholesterol in normolipidaemic subjects

Objectives. To determine the long-term effects of unfiltered coffee consump tion on the activity levels of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), p hospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) and lecithin: cholesterol acyltransfera se (LCAT) and to assess a possible role of CETP activity levels in the rise in serum LDL cholesterol. Subjects and design. Forty-six healthy normolipidaemic subjects consumed 0. 9 L of either French-press or filtered coffee for 24 weeks. Fasting blood s amples were obtained after 0, 2, 12 and 24 weeks of intervention and after and 12 weeks of follow-up. Main outcome measures. Serum activity levels of CETP, PLTP and LCAT. Results. Relative to baseline, French-press coffee significantly increased average CETP activity by 12% after 2 weeks, by 18% after 12 weeks, and by 9 % after 24 weeks. PLTP activity was significantly increased by 10% after 12 and 24 weeks. LCAT activity was significantly decreased by 6% after 12 wee ks and by 7% after 24 weeks. The increase in CETP clearly preceded the incr ease in LDL cholesterol, but not the increase in total triglycerides. Howev er, consumption of French-press coffee caused a persistent rise in CETP act ivity, whereas the rise in serum triglycerides was transient. Conclusions. Consumption of cafestol and kahweol cause a long-term increase in CETP as well as PLTP activity; the increase in CETP activity may contri bute to the rise in LDL cholesterol.