A new cause for CA19.9 elevation: heavy tea consumption

• Published in: Gut Vol. 52; no. 6; pp. 913 - 914
• Main Authors: Howaizi, M, Abboura, M, Krespine, C, Sbai-Idrissi, M-S, Marty, O, Djabbari-Sobhani, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Society of Gastroenterology 01.06.2003; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Biomarkers, Tumor - blood; CA-19-9 Antigen - blood; CA19.9; carbohydrate associated antigen; Consumption; Cysts; False Positive Reactions; Family medical history; Female; Flavonoids; Hepatitis; Humans; Letter; Liver cirrhosis; Liver diseases; Middle Aged; Tea; tea consumption; Tomography; Ultrasonic imaging
• ISSN: 0017-5749; 1468-3288
• DOI: 10.1136/gut.52.6.913

Unspecific elevation of CA 19.9 in serum reflects both inflammatory hypersecretion and leakage of biliary mucins into serum. 3 In addition, there is a strong correlation between serum CA19.9 concentration and standard parameters of cholestasis; alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin during acute liver failure, acute hepatitis, and chronic liver diseases of any aetiology. 4- 6 Other benign causes of CA19.9 increases are shown in table 1. Serum CA19.9 level Aetiology Mild elevation (<200 U/ml) High levels (>1000 U/ml) Obstructive jaundice 2, 3 + Acute liver failure and acute hepatitis 4, 5 + Chronic liver disease 4 + Alcoholic liver disease 4- 6 + + Non-alcoholic liver disease 4, 5 + Pancreatitis Acute 8, 9 + + Chronic 8, 9 + Diabetes mellitus 10 + Interstitial pulmonary disease 11 + Collagen vascular diseases 12 + Anecdotally reports: hydronephrosis, 13 endometriosis, 14 splenic cyst, 15 bronchogenic cyst, 16 sigmoid diverticulitis, 17 and hypothyroidism. 18 The constituent flavonoids of tea beverage are known to be potent antioxidants.