有研究發(fā)現(xiàn)人體內(nèi)的咖啡因?qū)?yán)重腦組織創(chuàng)傷患者預(yù)后有一定影響。2004年10月在美國(guó)拉斯維加斯舉行的美國(guó)麻醉醫(yī)師年會(huì)上報(bào)道了這項(xiàng)研究結(jié)果。

該項(xiàng)研究包括31例嚴(yán)重腦組織創(chuàng)傷患者。目前認(rèn)為咖啡因在機(jī)體內(nèi)是通過(guò)與腺苷受體的相互作用而發(fā)揮生理效應(yīng)的，腺苷受體廣泛存在于機(jī)體中以及大腦實(shí)質(zhì)中。特別是被稱為A1的特定受體在腦組織創(chuàng)傷的病理過(guò)程中發(fā)揮保護(hù)神經(jīng)元的作用。根據(jù)匹茲堡大學(xué)醫(yī)學(xué)院復(fù)蘇研究Safar中心主任Patrick M. Kochanek醫(yī)學(xué)博士的說(shuō)法，咖啡因是通過(guò)促進(jìn)腦組織中A1新受體的合成從而改善腦組織創(chuàng)傷的預(yù)后，但也可能是通過(guò)其它機(jī)制而發(fā)揮作用。

“應(yīng)用咖啡因能夠上調(diào)腺苷A1受體的表達(dá)，從而在大腦處于危機(jī)的時(shí)候提供強(qiáng)有力地保護(hù)”。Kochanek博士評(píng)論說(shuō)，“腦組織創(chuàng)傷在神經(jīng)麻醉科是相當(dāng)常見(jiàn)的疾病，而目前尚無(wú)特效藥物可以用于腦外傷患者以改善他們的預(yù)后。”

盡管仍然需要更多的研究來(lái)徹底闡明咖啡因?qū)χ袠猩窠?jīng)系統(tǒng)的作用，kochanek博士指出：“現(xiàn)有資料提示萬(wàn)一您不幸遭遇了嚴(yán)重頭部創(chuàng)傷，而你已經(jīng)攝入了咖啡因或者你一直定期服用咖啡因，都將會(huì)為你的腦組織創(chuàng)傷提供保護(hù)作用。”

Caffeine Improves Brain Injury Outcome
 
A study has revealed a link between the presence of caffeine in the body and favorable outcomes following severe brain injury in humans. The finding was reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists in Las Vegas (NV, USA) in October 2004.

The study included 31 patients who had suffered severe brain injuries. Caffeine is thought to produce its biologic effects on people through interactions with adenosine receptors, found throughout the body and with substantial localization in the brain. Certain receptors called A1 receptors are especially protective to neurons during brain injury. Caffeine may provide benefits for traumatic brain injury by stimulating the synthesis of new A1 receptors in the brain or through other mechanisms, according to Patrick M. Kochanek, M.D., director of the Safar Center for Resuscitation Research at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (PA, USA).

“Caffeine use may be up-regulating adenosine A1 receptors, which in turn gives the brain a stronger defense at the time of crisis,” remarked Dr. Kochanek. “Brain trauma is a common problem in neuroanesthesiology units, and there currently is no specific pharmacologic therapy available for brain injury treatment that improves patient outcomes.”

Although more studies are needed to fully understand caffeine’s effects on the central nervous system, Dr. Kochanek noted that “The data suggest that if you happen to have a severe head injury, having had some caffeine consumption, or just being a regular caffeine consumer, provides you with some protection against the evolution of damage in the brain once the injury has occurred.”