Anthocyanins promote learning through modulation of synaptic plasticity related proteins in an animal model of ageing

Vauzour, D., Rendeiro, C., D'Amato, A., Waffo-Teguo, P., Richard, T., Merillon, J. M., Pontifex, M. G., Connell, E., Muller, M., Butler, L. T., Williams, C. M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4452-671X and Spencer, J. P. E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2931-7274 (2021) Anthocyanins promote learning through modulation of synaptic plasticity related proteins in an animal model of ageing. Antioxidants, 10 (8). 1235. ISSN 2076-3921 doi: 10.3390/antiox10081235

Abstract/Summary

Anthocyanin-rich foods, such as berries, reportedly ameliorate age-related cognitive deficits in both animals and humans. Despite this, investigation into the mechanisms which underpin anthocyanin-mediated learning and memory benefits remains relatively limited. The present study investigates the effects of anthocyanin intake on a spatial working memory paradigm, assessed via the cross-maze apparatus, and relates behavioural test performance to underlying molecular mechanisms. Six-week supplementation with pure anthocyanins (2% w/w), administered throughout the learning phase of the task, improved both spatial and psychomotor performances in aged rats. Behavioural outputs were accompanied by changes in the expression profile of key proteins integral to synaptic function/maintenance, with upregulation of dystrophin, protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) and tyrosine hydroxylase, and downregulation of apoptotic proteins B-cell lymphoma-extra-large (Bcl-xL) and the phosphorylated rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma (p-Raf). Separate immunoblot analysis supported these observations, indicating increased activation of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK1), Akt Ser473, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) Ser2448, activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc/Arg 3.1) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in response to anthocyanin treatment, whilst �-E-catenin, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK1) and p38 protein levels decreased. Together, these findings suggest that purified anthocyanin consumption enhances spatial learning and motor coordination in aged animals and can be attributed to the modulation of key synaptic proteins, which support integrity and maintenance of synaptic function.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/99630
Identification Number/DOI	10.3390/antiox10081235
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Department of Psychology Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Neuroscience Life Sciences > School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy > Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences > Human Nutrition Research Group Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Nutrition and Health
Uncontrolled Keywords	flavonoids; brain; signalling; cognition; neuroprotection
Publisher	MDPI
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