Traditional kava beverage consumption and liver function tests in a predominantly Tongan population in Hawaii

Purpose. To determine the effects of traditionally prepared kava beverages on the liver function tests of regular kava beverage consumers in a population of Tongan and non-Tongan residents of Hawaii (Oahu). Methods. The liver function tests of 31 healthy adult kava drinkers were compared against a c...

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Published inClinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) Vol. 45; no. 5; pp. 549 - 556
Main Authors Brown, Amy C., Onopa, Janet, Holck, Peter, Kaufusi, Pakieli, Kabasawa, Derek, Craig, Winston J., Dragull, Klaus, Levine, Arieh M., Baker, Jonathan D.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Philadelphia, PA Taylor & Francis 01.06.2007
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Alanine Transaminase - blood
Alkaline Phosphatase - blood
Aspartate Aminotransferases - blood
Beverage
Beverages - adverse effects
Bilirubin - blood
Biological and medical sciences
Female
gamma-Glutamyltransferase - blood
Hawaii
Hepatotoxicity
Humans
Kava
Kava - chemistry
Liver function test
Liver Function Tests
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Oceanic Ancestry Group
Pacific Islanders
Plant Extracts - adverse effects
Plant poisons toxicology
Toxicology
Hawaii
Polynesia
Oceania
Consumption
Human
Kava
Liver function test
Toxicity
Piperaceae
Hepatic disease
Piper methysticum
Liver function
Pacific Islanders
Dicotyledones
Angiospermae
Digestive diseases
Spermatophyta
Beverage
Hepatotoxicity
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Summary:Purpose. To determine the effects of traditionally prepared kava beverages on the liver function tests of regular kava beverage consumers in a population of Tongan and non-Tongan residents of Hawaii (Oahu). Methods. The liver function tests of 31 healthy adult kava drinkers were compared against a control group of 31 healthy adult non-kava drinkers. Subjects were recruited from the general population, a kava bar, and Tongan kava drinking circles. The liver function profile included AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, and bilirubin (total and direct). Other tests included total protein, albumin, and screens for viral hepatitis and hemochromatosis when indicated. Results. Chronic kava beverage consumption was associated with elevation of GGT in 65% of the kava drinkers versus 26% in the controls (P = .005). ALP was elevated in 23% of kava drinkers versus 3% in the controls (P  = .053). Conclusion. Heavy kava beverage consumption was associated with significantly elevated GGT levels.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
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ISSN:1556-3650
1556-9519
DOI:10.1080/15563650701365875