Anti-inflammatory Effects of Caffeine in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Subjects

Inclusion Criteria: * COPD GOLD stage II (50% ≤ FEV1\< 80%) * CRP plasma levels ≥ 3 mg/l * BMI \> 20 kg/m2 and \< 30 kg/m2 * Diastolic blood pressure (DBP)=60-90 mmHg, Systolic blood pressure (SBP)=100 150 mmHg Exclusion Criteria: * Physical and/or mental disease or major surgery in the present or the past that might limit participation in or completion of the study * Reported current or previous metabolic (e.g. diabetes), cardiovascular and/or renal diseases * Known presence of a carcinoma * Acute and/or chronic inflammatory condition such as arthritis, arthrosis, chronic colitis, etc. during three months before entry of the study * Respiratory tract infection or exacerbation of COPD for at least 8 weeks prior to the start of the study * Change in treatment regime of the COPD subjects for at least 8 weeks prior to the start of the study * Use of laxatives, anti-diarrhoeal drugs and any other medication that can influence the uptake of the investigational products and/or influence their metabolism during the trial * During the month prior to the start of the study and during the study the use of antibiotics and/or local and systemic steroidal (glucocorticoids) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) * Abnormal constant dietary eating habits and a coffee consumption of less than 3 cups per day (i.e. a usual daily intake of \<400 mg caffeine).