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

該項研究包括31例嚴重腦組織創(chuàng)傷患者。目前認為咖啡因在機體內(nèi)是通過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體中以及大腦實質(zhì)中。特別是被稱為A1的特定受體在腦組織創(chuàng)傷的病理過程中發(fā)揮保護神經(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)博士的說法，咖啡因是通過促進腦組織中A1新受體的合成從而改善腦組織創(chuàng)傷的預(yù)后，但也可能是通過其它機制而發(fā)揮作用。

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

盡管仍然需要更多的研究來徹底闡明咖啡因?qū)χ袠猩窠?jīng)系統(tǒng)的作用，kochanek博士指出：“現(xiàn)有資料提示萬一您不幸遭遇了嚴重頭部創(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，都將會為你的腦組織創(chuàng)傷提供保護作用。”

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.”