Anthocyanins Promote Learning through Modulation of Synaptic Plasticity Related Proteins in an Animal Model of Ageing
David Vauzour,
Catarina Rendeiro,
Alfonsina D’Amato,
Pierre Waffo-Téguo,
Tristan Richard,
Jean Michel Mérillon,
Matthew G. Pontifex,
Emily Connell,
Michael Müller,
Laurie T. Butler,
Claire M. Williams,
Jeremy P. E. Spencer
Affiliations
David Vauzour
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
Catarina Rendeiro
School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Alfonsina D’Amato
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
Pierre Waffo-Téguo
UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Unité de Recherche Œnologie EA 4577, University of Bordeaux, USC 1366 INRA, Equipe Molécules d’Intérêt Biologique, 210 Chemin de Leysotte, F-33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France
Tristan Richard
UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Unité de Recherche Œnologie EA 4577, University of Bordeaux, USC 1366 INRA, Equipe Molécules d’Intérêt Biologique, 210 Chemin de Leysotte, F-33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France
Jean Michel Mérillon
UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Unité de Recherche Œnologie EA 4577, University of Bordeaux, USC 1366 INRA, Equipe Molécules d’Intérêt Biologique, 210 Chemin de Leysotte, F-33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France
Matthew G. Pontifex
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
Emily Connell
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
Michael Müller
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
Laurie T. Butler
Faculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK
Claire M. Williams
School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AL, UK
Jeremy P. E. Spencer
Molecular Nutrition Group, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AP, UK
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 α-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.
