Suppressive effect of caffeine on hepatitis and apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha, but not by the anti-Fas antibody, in mice.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced hepatitis and apoptosis, as respectively assessed by serum enzyme activities and hepatic DNA fragmentation were effectively suppressed by a single force-feeding of caffeine (100 mg/kg) 1.5 h before injecting the drug. In contrast, caffeine had no significant effect on anti-Fas antibody-induced hepatitis and apoptosis. These results suggest that caffeine differentially affected TNF-alpha receptor- and Fas-mediated hepatitis and apoptosis.