Plant-Derived Flavanol (−)Epicatechin Enhances Angiogenesis and Retention of Spatial Memory in Mice

Abstract

Diet and exercise have a profound impact on brain function. In particular, natural nutrients found in plants may influence neuronal survival and plasticity. Here, we tested whether consumption of a plant-derived flavanol, (−)epicatechin, enhances cognition in sedentary or wheel-running female C57BL/6 mice. Retention of spatial memory in the water maze was enhanced by ingestion of (−)epicatechin, especially in combination with exercise. Improved spatial memory was associated with increased angiogenesis and neuronal spine density, but not newborn cell survival, in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Moreover, microarray analysis showed upregulation of genes associated with learning and downregulation of markers of neurodegeneration in the hippocampus. Together, our data show that ingestion of a single flavanol improves spatial memory retention in adult mammals.

Introduction

Diet and exercise play an essential role in health and longevity. Physical activity and a diet containing fruits and vegetables reduce the incidence of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease (Powell and Blair, 1994; Steinmetz and Potter, 1996). It is less well known that these benefits extend from the periphery to brain function. In humans and rodents, physical activity enhances cognition (van Praag et al., 1999; Winter et al., 2007), counteracts age-related memory decline (Kramer et al., 1999; van Praag et al., 2005), and attenuates neurological markers of neurodegenerative diseases (Friedland et al., 2001; Tillerson et al., 2003; Adlard et al., 2005). Similarly, caloric restriction enhances neurotrophin expression and neurogenesis (Lee et al., 2002), moderates Alzheimer's disease symptoms (Mattson, 2000; Patel et al., 2005), and protects the brain from oxidative stress (Hyun et al., 2006). Both exercise and phytochemical-containing dietary supplements can improve aging-related and injury-associated cognitive deficits (Griesbach et al., 2004; Milgram et al., 2005).

Foods and beverages such as grapes, blueberries, tea, and cocoa are the principal sources of flavanols (Scalbert and Williamson, 2000), a subclass of phytochemicals known as flavonoids (Butterfield et al., 2002). In cell culture, flavanols have neuroprotective (Reznichenko et al., 2005), anti-oxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties (Schroeter et al., 2001; Koh et al., 2004). In vivo, flavanol-rich green tea (Haque et al., 2006), blueberries (Joseph et al., 1999), pomegranates (Hartman et al., 2006), and strawberries enhance memory and synaptic plasticity (Maher et al., 2006). However, the active components of these flavonoid-rich foods remain undefined. The monomeric flavanol (−)epicatechin is of particular interest because this compound and its metabolites have been identified as bioactive molecules in vivo (Schroeter et al., 2006). Specifically, (−)epicatechin is absorbed into circulation after ingestion of flavanol-containing foods (Schroeter et al., 2006) and may cross the blood–brain barrier (Abd El Mohsen et al., 2002).

Recent studies in humans show that (−)epicatechin-rich foods and purified (−)epicatechin improve cardiovascular function (Heiss et al., 2005; Schroeter et al., 2006). In addition, imaging studies in humans drinking a flavanol-rich cocoa beverage showed enhanced cortical blood flow (Fisher et al., 2006; Francis et al., 2006). Increased cerebrovascular function, especially in the hippocampus, a brain region important for memory, may facilitate adult neurogenesis (Gage, 2000; Pereira et al., 2007). Indeed, newborn hippocampal cells cluster near blood vessels (Palmer et al., 2000), proliferate in response to vascular growth factors (Jin et al., 2002), and may influence learning (Aimone et al., 2006). However, the basic mechanisms of action of (−)epicatechin remain unknown. Therefore, in addition to investigating angiogenic and neurogenic effects of flavanol consumption, microarray analysis of hippocampal tissue from mice treated with (−)epicatechin was performed.

Here, we show that (−)epicatechin improves spatial memory in mice and that this effect is enhanced in combination with exercise. In addition, angiogenesis but not new cell survival is increased in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus of (−)epicatechin-treated mice. Furthermore, microarray analysis showed that genes associated with learning and angiogenesis increase in expression, whereas inflammation and cell death genes are reduced. Together, our data indicate that flavanol consumption improves memory function.

Materials and Methods

Subjects

Female C57BL/6 mice (The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME), 8–10 weeks old, were housed individually in standard cages with a reversed day/night cycle: lights on at 10:00 P.M. and off at 10:00 A.M. Mice (n = 10–12 per group) were fed either control or (−)epicatechin diet ad libitum. In some experiments, mice were divided into sedentary and running groups (11–12 mice per group). Runners were placed in a cage with a running wheel (Lafayette Instruments, Indianapolis, IN) for 2 h per day (10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.) and then returned to standard housing. During the first 10 d of the food studies, mice received a daily intraperitoneal injection of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU; dissolved in 0.9% saline, filtered sterile at 0.2 μm, 50 mg/kg body weight at 10 μg/ml; Sigma, St. Louis, MO) to label dividing cells. At the end of the experiments, animals were given an overdose of anesthetics and perfused transcardially with cold 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA) in 0.1 m PBS. After 24 h, tissue was equilibrated in 30% sucrose. Sequential coronal sections (40 μm) were taken through the hippocampus and stored in phosphate-buffered glycerol at −20°C.

Spatial learning

Mice were trained in the Morris water maze for 8 d (Morris et al., 1982). Mice were trained with two trials per day in the experiments that included running and with four trials daily in studies in which the mice were sedentary. The platform was hidden 1 cm below the surface of water made opaque with white nontoxic paint. The platform was located in the northwest quadrant of the water maze. The starting points were changed every trial. Each trial lasted either until the mouse had found the platform or for a maximum of 40 s. All mice were allowed to rest on the platform for 10 s at the end of each trial. To test retention of the task, the platform was removed, and mice were given probe trials. The latency to the platform, length of swim path, and swim speed were recorded semiautomatically by a video tracking system (Ethovision; Noldus, Wageningen, The Netherlands).

Compound administration

Mice (n = 10–12 per group) were fed control diet pellets or a treatment diet, which consisted of the control diet supplemented with (−)epicatechin at a level of 500 μg/g (Research Diets, New Brunswick, NJ). The food was available ad libitum and based on an average food consumption of 5 g per animal per day; the average daily dose was 2.5 mg of (−)epicatechin. In an experiment to determine whether (−)epicatechin crosses the blood–brain barrier, mice (n = 5 per group) were given a purified, protein-based diet of similar macronutrient and micronutrient profiles as the control diet detailed above, which was supplemented with various amounts of (−)epicatechin to achieve an average daily dose of 0, 3, or 30 mg per animal.

An additional study (n = 7–8 mice per group) was done to define the dose–response of (−)epicatechin and to compare it to the glutamatergic antagonist memantine at a dose shown to enhance memory in mice (Minkeviciene et al., 2004). In this experiment, the compounds were dissolved in the drinking water. After pilot studies showing that mice drink ∼4 ml per day, all compounds were dissolved in water to achieve a daily dose of 0, 3, 15, and 30 mg of (−)epicatechin or 0.6 mg of memantine (30 mg/kg/d).

Experimental procedure

(−)Epicatechin consumption and exercise.

Mice were randomly assigned to sedentary or running groups and fed a control or (−)epicatechin diet for 6 weeks. The running groups were in cages with running wheels from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Behavioral testing in the Morris water maze was performed between 8:00 A.M. and 10:00 A.M., starting on day 31 with two trials per day for 8 d. Probe trials were done on day 8, 4 h after the last trial, and 24 h later.

(−)Epicatechin in food in sedentary mice.

Animals were assigned to control or compound diet for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks of test or control compound, all mice received control diet. Training in the Morris water maze for 8 d with four trials daily began 1 week later. Probe trials were performed on days 4, 6, and 8 of training and 24 h, 1 week, and 2 weeks after the last acquisition trial.

(−)Epicatechin in water in sedentary mice.

Mice drank (−)epicatechin, memantine solution, or water for 21 d in 15 ml sipper tubes so that liquid intake could be measured. On day 22, all mice were switched to regular drinking water bottles. Testing in the Morris water maze started on day 23 with four trials daily for 8 d. Probe trials were done on days 5 and 8 of training and 24 h and 1 week later after the last training trial.

Immunohistochemistry

Immunohistochemistry for BrdU was performed on a one-in-six series of free-floating 40 μm coronal sections that were pretreated for BrdU immunohistochemistry by denaturing DNA, as described previously (van Praag et al., 1999). The antibody used was rat anti-BrdU (Accurate, 1:250; Harlan Sera-Lab, Loughborough, UK). To visualize the BrdU-labeled cells, staining for BrdU with the peroxidase method was used (ABC system, with biotinylated donkey anti-rat antibodies and diaminobenzidine as chromogen; Vector Laboratories, Burlingame, CA). Cells were counted at 40× using an upright bright-field microscope (Leitz, Wetzlar, Germany).

Vasculature

Lectin staining (Lycopersicon esculentum; Vector Laboratories) was used to visualize hippocampal blood vessels (van Praag et al., 2005). A one-in-six series of sections was rinsed with Tris-buffered saline (TBS) and blocked for 30 min at room temperature in a solution of TBS containing 5% preimmune donkey serum and 0.3% Triton X-100 (TBS²⁺). Sections were incubated at 4°C for 72 h with biotinylated lectin diluted at 1:4000 in TBS²⁺. Thereafter, sections were rinsed with TBS and incubated for 3 h in streptavidin Cy3 (1:500), followed by 4′-6-diaminodino-2-phenylindole for 10 min.

For quantification of the area covered by blood vessels, the right side of the hippocampus was imaged at 10× using the Bio-Rad (Hercules, CA) R2100 confocal system. Specifically, 12 3-μm-thick optical sections through the hippocampus were taken for five equidistant sections (240 μm between sections) from each brain. Subsequently, the z-stacks were merged using MetaMorph version 6.1 (Molecular Devices, Downingtown, PA). Using this program, the outline of the DG, including the hilus and molecular layer, and areas CA3 and CA1 was traced. In each subregion (DG, area CA3, and area CA1), the amount of vessel staining was determined semiautomatically with MetaMorph. To define lectin-positive vessels, threshold was set based on luma and brightness, and the region of interest was traced by the experimenter who was blind to the treatment groups. Subsequently, the percentage of area positive for lectin-stained vessels was calculated by the software.

Spine-density measurements

Sedentary and running mice (n = 4 per group) were fed (−)epicatechin or control diet for 6 weeks and perfused as described above. Brains were stored in 4% PFA at 4°C. Coronal sections (100 μm) were cut with a vibratome. For DiI labeling, brain sections were washed with PBS, and DiI crystals were placed in the middle of the granule cell layer. DiI-labeled brain sections had coverslips applied with ProLong Antifade mounting medium (Invitrogen, Eugene, OR) and were coded so that the experimenter was blind to the treatment groups. Sections were examined under the microscope 16–24 h after dye placement. Images of labeled dendritic processes in the outer half of the molecular layer were taken with a Bio-Rad R2100 confocal system with a 40× oil lens and a zoom of 6 (numerical aperture, 1.4; Olympus, Tokyo, Japan). Total protrusion and mushroom spine densities were analyzed as described previously (Zhao et al., 2006).

Analysis of Affymetrix genome array and real-time quantitative PCR

Sedentary or running mice that received 6 weeks of control or (−)epicatechin diet were deeply anesthetized by intraperiotoneal injection of a mixture of ketamine (75 mg/kg), xylazine (4 mg/kg), and acepromazine (5.6 mg/kg) and decapitated. The hippocampus was dissected and frozen immediately on dry ice. Tissue from the four treatment groups [control sedentary (CS), control running (CR), (−)epicatechin sedentary (ES), and (−)epicatechin runner (ER)] was processed (n = 5 mice per group total, and a subset of n = 3 per group was used for the array). Specifically, total RNA was isolated from the hippocampal tissue using Trizol (Invitrogen, Gaithersburg, MD). The synthesis of cDNA targets and hybridization to Affymetrix (Santa Clara, CA) MOE430_2 mouse genome arrays were performed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Affymetrix CEL files obtained from scanning of the GeneChip arrays were normalized using the apt-probeset-summarize function (plier-mm-sketch) in the Affymetrix Power Tools. The gene-level normalized expression data were divided into four sets, namely CS, CR, ES, and ER. We computed t statistics for each probe set comparing ER versus CR and ES versus CS. For example, we defined the t statistic comparing ER versus CR as t_ER,CR = (μ_ER − μ_CR)/sqrt (((n_ER − 1)σ²_ER + (n_CR − 1)σ²_CR)(n_ER + n_CR))/((n_ERn_CR) (n_ER + n_CR-2))), where n_ER and n_CR are the number of replicates, μ_ER and μ_CR are the means, and σ²_ER and σ²_CR are the variances of the expression values for the two datasets. Next, the t statistics t_ER,CR (x-axis) and t_ES,CS (y-axis) for all probe sets were displayed as a two-dimensional scatter plot, and a t statistic cutoff of 4.6 corresponded to a p value cutoff of 0.005 (see Fig. 6). Probe set mappings to Refseq genes were obtained via Ensembl (www.ensembl.org). Gene descriptions for Refseq genes were obtained via the University of California, Santa Cruz genome browser (genome.ucsc.edu). Gene ontology analysis was performed as described previously (Yeo et al., 2005).

Figure 6.

Two-dimensional representation of gene expression changes resulting from 6 weeks of daily (−)epicatechin consumption with or without running. t statistics and cutoffs (p < 0.005) for ER versus CR (ERvCR; x-axis) and ES versus CS (ESvCS; y-axis) mice were computed as described in Materials and Methods. Each (x, y) point in the graph represents the t statistic (t_ER,CR, t_ES,CS) for a probe set. A–D, Specifically, genes that are depleted (A) or enriched (B) in ER are shown in the horizontal axis; enriched (C) or depleted (D) gene expression with (−)epicatechin alone (ES) is represented in the vertical axis. e, Four genes that are uniquely enriched in both sedentary and running flavanol-treated mice.

Expression changes of genes of interest were verified by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (Q-PCR). cDNA was synthesized (Superscript III; Invitrogen, San Diego, CA) from 1 μg of RNA from the samples used for Genechip analysis (n = 3 per group) as well as from RNA from the two additional mice in each group (n = 5 total per group). Primer3 (Rozen and Skaletsky, 2000) was used to design oligonucleotide primers (Allele Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, CA). Q-PCR was performed using SYBR Green Master Mix (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA) and 0.2 μm of each primer in a 25 μl reaction in triplicate in an Applied Biosystems Prism 7700 Sequence Detection System. Data analysis was performed using Sequence Detection Systems version 2.1 (Applied Biosystems). A mixture of the cDNAs from each sample was used to generate the standard curve. Expression of each gene of interest was calculated based on the standard curve for a given primer set. The relative amount of the calculated message was normalized to the level of a control gene: ribosomal protein L13a (Rpl13A), for which primers were obtained from RealTimePrimers (Philadelphia, PA).

Flavanol analysis of brain samples

Mice (n = 5 per group) that had consumed 0, 3, or 30 mg of (−)epicatechin per day for 13 d were perfused with Dulbecco's PBS (magnesium and calcium free, pH 7.4) containing EDTA (1 mm), apotransferrin (1 mg/ml), l- ascorbic acid (2 mm), and reduced glutathione (100 μm). Each brain was rinsed in Dulbecco's PBS (magnesium and calcium free, pH 7.4) containing EDTA (5 mm), EGTA (2 mm), l-ascorbic acid (50 mm), and dithiothreitol (1 mm), snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen, and was stored at −80°C after the sample identity was coded. All analytical procedures were done with coded samples. The frozen tissues were pulverized in a ceramic mortar earlier cooled with liquid nitrogen. The pulverized tissue was extracted by repeated vortex mixing with 4 ml of acidified methanol [0.5% (v/v) of acetic acid in methanol; precooled to −20°C] containing 3′-O-ethyl-(−)epicatechin (500 nm) as a recovery standard. The mixture was stored at −80°C for 12 h to allow for cryo-assisted protein precipitation, and it was subsequently centrifuged for 15 min at 16,500 × g. The supernatant was collected, and its volume was reduced to 50 μl by removing the solvents under vacuum using a Speed-Vac. To hydrolyze potentially present phase II conjugates, 50 μl of sample was mixed with 50 μl of sodium acetate buffer (0.2 m, pH 5), containing β-glucuronidase from bovine liver (100,000 IU/ml), and incubated for 40 min at 37°C under argon. The reaction was stopped by adding 200 μl of ice-cold, acidified methanol [0.5% (v/v) of acetic acid in methanol]. Samples were placed at −80°C for 15 min and centrifuged for 15 min at 16,500 × g. Supernatants from five individual brain samples of the same treatment group were collected, pooled, and subjected to two subsequent extractions with 400 μl of acidified ethyl acetate [0.5% (v/v) of acetic acid in ethyl acetate], respectively. Solvents were subsequently removed under vacuum using a Speed-Vac, and the sample was reconstituted in 50 μl of methanol, before being diluted using 150 μl of sodium acetate buffer (0.2 m, pH 5). A total volume of 50 μl was analyzed by HPLC as described previously (Schroeter et al., 2006). The sample content of (−)epicatechin, 3′-O-methyl-(−)epicatechin, and 4′-O-methyl-(−)epicatechin was calculated based on peak-area ratios of analyte and internal standard and was based on standard curves established using authentic, chemically pure standards (gift from Mars Incorporated). Data were expressed as flavanol amount in nanograms per milligram of tissue (wet weight).

Statistical analysis

ANOVA with repeated measures (compound by exercise by days) or (compound by days) was used for water maze acquisition. One-way ANOVA was applied to analyze the probe trials. Post hoc tests were Bonferroni and Fisher's PSLD. One-way ANOVA and Student's t test were used for histological and Q-PCR experiments with a p value cutoff of 0.05. For the microarray data, t statistics were analyzed with a p value cutoff of 0.005 as described above. Statistical software packages used were Statview, Graph Pad (San Diego, CA) Prism 4, and SAS 8.02.

Results

(−)Epicatechin consumption improves memory

(−)Epicatechin consumption and exercise experiment

In this experiment, mice received (−)epicatechin-containing pellets or control food pellets and were either sedentary (CS, n = 11; ES, n = 12) or allowed to run for 2 h daily (CR, n = 12; ER, n = 11), for a total of 42 d. Running distance was monitored and did not differ between CR and ER (p > 0.05). Animals were trained in the Morris water maze for 8 d with two trials per day between days 31 and 38 of the experiment (Fig. 1A–C). Two-way ANOVA with repeated measures (food by exercise by days) revealed a nonsignificant trend toward an interaction between compound consumption and running for latency (F_(1,42) = 3.95; p < 0.053) (Fig. 1A) and path length (F_(1,42) = 3.07; p < 0.087) (Fig. 1B) but not swim speed (F_(1,42) = 0.93; p > 0.34) (Fig. 1C).

Figure 1.

Water maze learning in mice fed control or (−)epicatechin food pellets and housed with or without access to a running wheel (2 h per day) for 42 d. Mice were trained for 8 d with two trials per day between days 31 and 38 to find the hidden platform in the Morris water maze. A–C, Latency (A), path length (B), and swim speed (C) did not differ between the groups. D, E, The probe tests (40 s) at 4 h (D) and 24 h (E) after the last trial on day 8 showed that ER mice spent significantly more time in the target quadrant (NW) than any of the other quadrants (*p < 0.05). Error bars indicate SEM. NW, Northwest; NE, northeast; SE, southeast; SW, southwest.

To test retention of the task, a probe trial was performed 4 h after the last training trial on day 8 (Fig. 1D). A second probe trial was performed 24 h later (Fig. 1E). The probe trials showed that only ER mice spent significantly more time in the target quadrant than in any of the other quadrants at both 4 h (F_(3,40) = 6.1; p < 0.002) and 24 h (F_(3,40) = 6.5; p < 0.001) after the last training trial. These findings indicate that retention of the task was superior in the ER group (Fig. 1D,E).

(−)Epicatechin in food in sedentary mice

To determine whether compound administration in the absence of running could benefit learning, mice (n = 12 per group) received (−)epicatechin or control food pellets for 14 d. Thereafter, mice were fed control diet for the duration of study. Testing in the Morris water maze was started after all mice had been on control diet for 1 week. Animals were trained in the water maze with four trials per day over 8 d. Acquisition of the task did not differ between the groups (F_(1,22) = 0.10; p > 0.75) (Fig. 2A).

Figure 2.

Spatial learning in mice that received control (CON) or (−)epicatechin (EPI) food pellets for 14 d. Thereafter, mice were fed control diet for the duration of study. Animals were trained in the water maze with four trials per day over 8 d between days 21 and 28. A, Acquisition of the task did not differ between the groups. B, C, Retention of the task was assessed using probe trials on days 4, 6, and 8 of training, as well as 24 h, 1 week, and 2 weeks after the last training session in mice fed CON (B) or EPI (C) diet. On day 4 of training, only the EPI group (C) showed a significant preference for the platform quadrant (NW; *p < 0.05). On days 6 and 8, the control (B) and (−)epicatechin (C) groups searched the target zone (NW) more than other quadrants (*p < 0.05). At 24 h and 1 week after the last training session, only the EPI mice (C) still preferred the platform quadrant (*p < 0.05). Error bars indicate SEM. NW, Northwest; NE, northeast; SE, southeast; SW, southwest.

Retention of the task was assessed using multiple probe trials. Specifically, the platform was removed 4 h after training for a 40 s probe trial on days 4, 6, and 8 of training, as well as 24 h, 1 week, and 2 weeks after the last acquisition session with mice fed control (Fig. 2B) or (−)epicatechin (Fig. 2C) diet. On day 4 of training, only the (−)epicatechin group showed a significant preference for the platform quadrant (p < 0.05). On days 6 and 8, both groups preferred the platform zone compared with the other quadrants (p < 0.05). However, at 24 h and 1 week after the last training session, only the (−)epicatechin mice performed well on the probe trial (p < 0.05). At 2 weeks after the last training session, neither control-fed (Fig. 2B) nor (−)epicatechin-fed (Fig. 2C) mice showed a preference for the target quadrant. Thus, (−)epicatechin mice had earlier onset and longer maintenance of good performance on the probe trials (Fig. 2C), indicating that the flavanol enhanced retention of spatial memory.

(−)Epicatechin in water in sedentary mice (dose–response)

Based on the food studies, it was determined that a dose of 2.5 mg of (−)epicatechin was sufficient to improve retention in the water maze. In a subsequent study, a dose–response analysis was performed, and a comparison between the flavanol and memantine, a compound used to enhance memory (Minkeviciene et al., 2004), was made. Specifically, 3, 15, or 30 mg of (−)epicatechin (E3, E15, and E30, respectively) or memantine (0.6 mg) per 4 ml of drinking water was given for 21 d. Analysis of liquid intake showed that mice drank similar amounts of fluid per day in the control and (−)epicatechin groups (control, 4.3 ± 0.16 ml; E3, 4.48 ± 0.10 ml; E15, 4.51 ± 0.16 ml; E30, 4.34 ± 0.16 ml) but significantly less in the memantine group (3.48 + 0.16 ml; p < 0.01) compared with the other groups.

Training in the water maze was performed between days 23 and 30 with four trials per day. There was no difference between the groups in acquisition of the task (F_(4,32) = 0.86; p > 0.49) (Fig. 3A). However, retention was significantly enhanced by (−)epicatechin. Specifically, on the probe trial on day 8, both the E3 (F_(3,24) = 7.33; p < 0.001) and E15 (F_(3,28) = 11.87; p < 0.0001) mice showed a significant preference for the target quadrant compared with all other quadrants (p < 0.03), whereas control, E30, and memantine groups did not (Fig. 3B).

Figure 3.

Dose–response of (−)epicatechin and comparison with memantine: effects on water maze learning. Mice were given (−)epicatechin (0, 3, 15, or 30 mg/d) or memantine (0.6 mg/d) in drinking water for 3 weeks. A, Mice were trained in the Morris water maze with four trials per day for 8 d between days 23 and 30. Acquisition of the task did not differ between control (CON), 3 mg (E3), 15 mg (E15), and 30 mg (E30) of (−)epicatechin or memantine (MEM). B, Retention of the task was significantly improved in the E3 and E15 mice. In the 60 s probe trial on day 8, the E3 and E15 groups spent more time in the target area (NW) than in the other quadrants (p < 0.03), whereas CON, E30, and MEM mice did not show a significant preference for the NW quadrant. Error bars indicate SEM. NW, Northwest; NE, northeast; SE, southeast; SW, southwest.

(−)Epicatechin crosses the blood–brain barrier

To determine whether (−)epicatechin crosses the blood–brain barrier, brains from mice (n = 5 per group) that consumed (−)epicatechin (0, 3, or 30 mg per day for 13 d) were enzyme treated to hydrolyze any potentially present O-glucuronidated or O-sulfated metabolites. Samples from each group were pooled and analyzed for content of (−)epicatechin and 3′- or 4′-O-methyl-epicatechin. After an oral (−)epicatechin dose of 3 mg/d, 4.3 ng/mg tissue (wet weight) of (−)epicatechin and 1.5 ng/mg tissue (wet weight) of 3′-O-methyl-(−)epicatechin were detected in perfused brain tissue. A daily dose of 30 mg of (−)epicatechin per day resulted in (−)epicatechin and 3′-O-methyl-(−)epicatechin at levels of 7.3 ng/mg tissue (wet weight) and 16.0 ng/mg tissue (wet weight), respectively. No 4′-O-methyl-(−)epicatechin was detected. The brains of mice in the 0 mg control group did not have measurable levels of (−)epicatechin or its metabolites.

Cellular effects of (−)epicatechin

(−)Epicatechin does not enhance newborn hippocampal cell survival

To determine whether the beneficial effects of (−)epicatechin on memory could be mediated by an increase in hippocampal cell genesis, mice were given injections of BrdU for the first 10 d of the studies. (−)Epicatechin consumption did not increase cell survival in the DG. In the experiment in which (−)epicatechin in food was combined with running, there was an effect of running on cell survival (F_(1,27) = 183.0; p < 0.0001). However, there were fewer BrdU-positive cells in the ER group compared with the CR group (p < 0.05). In the (−)epicatechin study in sedentary mice, there was no difference between the groups (t₍₁₄₎ =.22; p > .83) (Table 1).

Table 1.

(−)Epicatechin does not enhance newborn hippocampal cell survival

	CS	CR	ES	ER
EPI and RUN	676 (60)	2731 (186)*	678 (49)	2245 (185)
EPI sedentary	761 (68)		741 (49)

Mice received BrdU (50 mg/kg) daily for the first 10 d of the experiments. Survival of the total number of BrdU-labeled cells in the right DG was assessed 33 d after the last BrdU injection when (−)epicatechin was combined with running (EPI and RUN) mice and 39 d later in the study of EPI in sedentary mice. Wheel running (2 h daily) increased newborn cell survival in CR and ER. However, ER mice had significantly fewer new cells than CR animals (*p < 0.05). There was no difference between the groups under sedentary conditions. Data are presented as means (SEM).

(−)Epicatechin enhances angiogenesis

Previous work has shown that (−)epicatechin enhances cardiovascular function in humans (Schroeter et al., 2006). To determine whether (−)epicatechin affects brain vasculature, coronal sections derived from sedentary mice that received (−)epicatechin or control diet for 2 weeks and were perfused 5 weeks later were stained with tomato lectin. Blood vessel density was analyzed in the three hippocampal subfields: DG, including the molecular layer [controls, 40.20 ± 0.60 mm²; (−)epicatechin, 39.06 ± 0.68 mm²], area CA3 [controls, 2.06 ± 0.1 mm²; (−)epicatechin, 2.28 ± 0.1 mm²], and area CA1 [controls, 16.92 mm²; (−)epicatechin, 19.89 mm²]. The size of the areas measured did not differ between the groups for each hippocampal subfield (p > 0.05). Using a semiautomatic analysis (MetaMorph) to quantify lectin-stained vessels, we showed there was a significant increase in DG vasculature in flavonol-treated mice (t₍₁₄₎ = 3.26; p < 0.006). No change was found in lectin staining in area CA3 (t₍₁₄₎ = 0.99; p > 0.33), and a trend that did not reach statistical significance was observed for area CA1 (t₍₁₄₎ = 2.00; p < 0.065) (Table 2, Fig. 4).

Table 2.

(−)Epicatechin consumption increases angiogenesis

	DG (%)	Area CA3 (%)	Area CA1 (%)
CON	3.41 (0.45)	5.28 (0.39)	6.71 (0.41)
EPI	5.62 (0.51)*	5.91 (0.41)	9.14 (0.38)

Mice consumed (−)epicatechin (EPI) or control (CON) diet for 2 weeks and were then given control diet for 5 more weeks. The percentage area covered by blood vessels was quantified in the DG, area CA3, and area CA1. (−)Epicatechin treatment significantly increased angiogenesis in the DG (*p < 0.006) and resulted in a trend toward an increase in area CA1 (p < 0.065). Data are presented as means (SEM).

Figure 4.

Vasculature in the DG of mice that consumed control or (−)epicatechin diet. Lectin-stained vessels (red) were quantified using imaging software to assign a pseudocolor mask (yellow) to highlight the threshold for brightness and luma. There was a significant increase in vasculature in the DG of flavanol-treated mice (B, D) compared with controls (A, C). The outline of the analyzed area is marked in all panels and includes the DG and molecular layer.

Lectin staining was also enhanced in the DG of mice that received (−)epicatechin diet with running for 6 weeks (F_(1,39) = 7.26; p < 0.01). Specifically, the percentage of DG area covered with blood vessels was quantified in the CS (3.96 ± 0.40%), CR (3.87 ± 0.35%), ES (5.02 ± 0.61%), and ER (5.80 ± 0.72%) groups. Together, these findings suggest that the beneficial effects of the compound on memory function in both sedentary and exercise conditions may be mediated in part by increased angiogenesis.

(−)Epicatechin increases spine density

To investigate whether the improved learning observed with (−)epicatechin could be associated with changes in spine density in hippocampal neurons, DG granule cells were labeled with DiI. Confocal images of dendritic processes in the outer half of the molecular layer were analyzed for total protrusion and mushroom spine densities in tissue from mice (n = 4 per group) that received (−)epicatechin with or without running for 6 weeks. Two-way ANOVA showed that there was a significant main effect of diet on spine density (F_(1,12) = 9.4; p < 0.009), but not of exercise (F_(1,12) = 2.77; p > 0.12), and no interaction between diet and exercise (F_(1,12) = 0.76; p > 0.39). Specific comparisons showed that neurons from the ER mice had a greater spine density than neurons from CS (p < 0.014) or CR (p < 0.028) mice but not ES (p > 0.05) mice (Fig. 5). Subsequently, mushroom spines (Harris and Kater, 1994) were quantified in each condition. There was no difference in mushroom spine density between the groups (F_(1,12) = 0.40; p > 0.82).

Figure 5.

DiI labeling of DG granule cells in mice that received control or (−)epicatechin diet under sedentary or running conditions for 6 weeks. A, Representative images of DiI-labeled dendritic fragments in the outer molecular layer of the DG in CS, CR, ES, and ER mice. The arrow indicates a mushroom spine of which the estimated surface area is no less than 0.4 μm². Scale bar, 5 μm. B, Spine-density quantification showed that neurons from ER mice had more spines than cells from CS (*p < 0.014) or CR (*p < 0.03) animals. Error bars indicate SEM.

Microarray analysis

Whole hippocampus was dissected from mice that had received (−)epicatechin or control diet daily with or without running for 6 weeks. For each condition, hippocampal tissue was dissected from three mice, and RNA was isolated and hybridized to Affymetrix mouse GeneChip arrays as independent replicates (n = 3 per group). To identify genes that changed significantly, we compared the normalized signal estimates from ES to CS groups and from ER to CR groups. In Figure 6, each probe set complementary to known genes is represented by a t statistic reflecting whether it was enriched (or depleted) in ES versus CS (y-axis) and ER versus CR (x-axis).

Next, we analyzed the probes that were enriched or depleted in ER versus CR but did not change in ES versus CS (Fig. 6A,B; Table 3 contains the top 10 genes upregulated and downregulated in ER vs CR). In the ER group, increased expression of genes associated with learning, such as synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP-25) (Hou et al., 2006) and kinesin family member 17 (Kif17) (Wong et al., 2002), was found. In addition, Hey1, essential for Notch1 signaling and angiogenesis, was upregulated (Fischer et al., 2004). Furthermore, in ER, decreased expression of genes associated with inflammation and cell death, such as Tnf (tumor necrosis factor), Lypla3 (lysophospholipase 3), Il20 (interleukin 20), and Casp3 (caspase-3), was observed, suggesting that the compound may attenuate neurodegenerative disease (Hirsch et al., 2003) when combined with physical activity. Moreover, Dyrk2 [dual-specificity tyrosine-(Y)-phosphorylation-regulated kinase 2] expression, part of a kinase family implicated in the learning deficits of Down's syndrome, was reduced, consistent with research using green tea polyphenols in culture (Adayev et al., 2006).

Table 3.

Microarray analysis of hippocampal tissue of mice that consumed (−)epicatechin

Gene	Description	t statistic ESvCS	t statistic ERvCR	Affymetrix probe set identifier
A. (−)Epicatechin increases gene expression
Nfatc1	Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic, calcineurin-dependent 1	34	1.19	1425761_a_at
Sart2	Squamous cell carcinoma antigen recognized by T-cell 2	19	0.67	1455795_at
Notch1	Notch gene homolog 1 (Drosophila)	11.62	−0.42	1418633_at
Ptpn6	Protein tyrosine phosphatase, nonreceptor type 6	11	−0.3	1460188_at
Parvg	Parvin, γ	10.91	1.21	1416876_at
Mfap2	Microfibrillar-associated protein 2	10.51	−1.95	1417359_at
Zfp553	Zinc finger protein 553	10.42	0.03	1426564_at
Cdc20	Cell division cycle 20 homolog (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)	9.05	1.77	1416664_at
Smad5	MAD homolog 5 (Drosophila)	8.75	−0.47	1451873_a_at
Pomt2	Protein-O-mannosyltransferase 2	8.67	−0.55	1433644_at
B. (−)Epicatechin decreases gene expression
Clca5	Chloride channel calcium activated 5	−23	0.27	1438109_at
Exosc2	Exosome component 2	−12.25	−1.54	1426630_at
Cd52	CD52 antigen	−10.25	−3.15	1460218_at
Scx	Scleraxis	−9.5	−1.4	1456291_x_at
Tm4sf5	Transmembrane 4 superfamily member 5	−8.85	0.77	1424445_at
Svs6	Seminal vesicle secretion 6	−8.49	0.59	1418548_at
Trim45	Tripartite motif-containing 45	−8	0.71	1441412_s_at
Lpl	Lipoprotein lipase	−7.86	0.21	1415904_at
Rpl35	Ribosomal protein L35	−7.82	−0.02	1434231_x_at
Hes3	Hairy and enhancer of split 3 (Drosophila)	−7.37	0.19	1422409_at
C. (−)Epicatechin and running increase gene expression
Amh	Anti-Mullerian hormone	−2.25	10.84	1450573_at
Kif17	Kinesin family member 17	−0.75	10.09	1422762_at
Snap25	Synaptosomal-associated protein 25	0.55	9.14	1416828_at
AI836003	Expressed sequence AI836003	0.28	9.09	1435512_at
Zfp535	Zinc finger protein 535	0.15	8.95	1418033_s_at
Hist1h4j	Histone cluster 1, H4c	1.94	8.76	1431658_at
Mapk12	Mitogen-activated protein kinase 12	0.3	7.67	1449283_a_at
Ogg1	8-Oxoguanine DNA-glycosylase 1	1.27	7.55	1430078_a_at
Ap3s2	Adaptor-related protein complex 3, σ 2 subunit	1.43	7.43	1441993_at
Impdh1	Inosine 5′-phosphate dehydrogenase 1	−0.05	7.41	1423239_at
Hey1	Hairy enhancer of split with YRPW motif	−0.72	7.16	1419303_at
D. (−)Epicatechin and running decrease gene expression
Dyrk2	Dual-specificity tyrosine-(Y)-phosphorylation regulated kinase 2	1.78	−12.5	1456502_at
Tnf	Tumor necrosis factor	−0.77	−10.06	1419607_at
Tmem102	Transmembrane protein 102	2.99	−8.97	1453318_at
Rpusd1	RNA pseudouridylate synthase domain containing 1	−0.11	−8.83	1453253_a_at
Nup43	Nucleoporin 43	0.65	−8.72	1432188_s_at
Lypla3	Lysophospholipase 3	0.41	−8.49	1422341_s_at
St3gal1	ST3β -galactoside α -2,3-sialyltransferase 1	1.58	−8.49	1418946_at
Cyb5r2	Cytochrome b5 reductase 2	−0.83	−8.18	1459448_at
Pitpnm1	Phosphatidylinositol membrane-associated 1	−0.06	−7.9	1425760_a_at
Elovl3	Elongation of very long chain fatty acids	0.12	−7.46	1420722_at

Microarray analysis of hippocampal tissue in mice fed (−)epicatechin daily for 6 weeks with or without physical activity. The 10 annotated genes with highest t statistics that are either upregulated (A, C) or downregulated (B, D) by (−)epicatechin in sedentary (A, B) or running (C, D) mice are listed. ESvCS, ES versus CS; ERvCR, ER versus CR.

Analysis of the probes that were significantly enriched in (−)epicatechin without running (Fig. 6C,D; Table 3 contains the top 10 genes enriched or depleted in ES vs CS) revealed several genes of interest. For example, Nfatc1 (nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic, calcineurin dependent 1), important for neurite outgrowth (Graef et al., 2003) and angiogenesis (Zaichuk et al., 2004), was enriched. In addition, Notch1, a developmental regulator of cell fate and angiogenesis (Fischer et al., 2004) that also plays a role in memory function (Costa et al., 2005), and Cdh5 (cadherin-5), which is important for synaptic plasticity (Tang et al., 1998), are upregulated. Furthermore, decreased expression of inflammatory response regulator Ccl21b [chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 21b] and the gene encoding lipoprotein lipase (Lpl), which is implicated in neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's disease (Mead et al., 2002), was observed in ES mice.

Interestingly, only four genes were upregulated by (−)epicatechin, with or without running (ES and ER). Just one of these genes, P2ry14, is an annotated gene, whereas the others correspond to Affymetrix probe sets 1449720_at, 1458771_at, and 1433219_at. It should be noted that P2y receptors mediate nitric oxide (NO) production (Kittner et al., 2003), and so may play a role in flavanol-mediated changes in cell signaling and vasculature (Fig. 6e).

To confirm the validity of the microarray analysis, Q-PCR was performed for a subset of genes. The expression patterns of anti-Mullerian hormone (Amh), protein tyrosine phosphatase, nonreceptor type 11 (Ptpn11), and transmembrane protein 102 (Tmem102) were consistent with the Affymetrix GeneChip array data. Because an example of genes changed in CS versus ES, the relative amount of Ptpn11 mRNA was significantly decreased in ES (0.65 ± 0.08) compared with CS (1.00 ± 0.06; t₍₈₎ = 3.38; p < 0.01). In addition, for genes that were analyzed in CR versus ER, two candidates, Amh and Tmem102, were tested. Amh was upregulated in ER (1.37 ± 0.22) compared with CR (1.09 ± 0.19). Tmem102 expression was reduced in ER (0.69 ± 0.13) compared with CR (0.94 ± 0.11). The changes in Amh and Tmem102 expression were in the same direction as predicted by the microarray analysis but did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05).

Discussion

The present study was designed to determine whether cognition, newborn cell survival, and angiogenesis could be influenced by a flavanol-rich diet. We found that memory, hippocampal vascularization, and neuronal spine density, but not new cell survival, were enhanced in mice fed a (−)epicatechin-containing diet compared with controls. Furthermore, the combination of exercise and (−)epicatechin treatment was even more beneficial for cognition. It should be noted, though, that retention in the water maze was improved regardless of variations in duration of flavanol administration or housing conditions. Moreover, microarray analysis indicated that genes associated with learning and angiogenesis were upregulated, whereas those involved with inflammation and cell death were decreased by (−)epicatechin consumption.

In initial studies to determine whether (−)epicatechin ingestion can improve learning, we combined flavanol consumption with a limited amount of exercise for 6 weeks. Mice were trained in the Morris water maze, a well established assay for spatial learning (Morris et al., 1982), with two trials per day (van Praag et al., 1999). In this paradigm, 2 h of daily exercise alone or (−)epicatechin only did not improve performance in the water maze. The combination of (−)epicatechin and exercise, however, enhanced retention of the task. Specifically, the ER mice showed superior performance on the probe trials at 4 and 24 h after the last training session. These findings are consistent with research in dogs showing that environmental enrichment combined with a diet containing phytochemicals and vitamin E had a greater effect on cognition than either condition alone (Milgram et al., 2005).

Neither running nor long-term administration of the flavanol compound is essential for enhanced retention. When sedentary mice received (−)epicatechin for 2 weeks and then were trained in the water maze with four trials per day for 8 d, multiple probe trials showed that learning was faster and retention was longer in (−)epicatechin-treated mice. Moreover, when (−)epicatechin was given in water, the flavanol improved memory at a dose comparable to the one given in food (3 mg) and at a higher dose (15 mg) as well. The highest dose (30 mg) was not effective, suggesting that more flavanol is not always better for brain function. In this same experiment, memantine, a compound reported to enhance memory function (Barnes et al., 1996; Minkeviciene et al., 2004), did not enhance retention. The same dose of memantine (30 mg/kg/d) was used as in the other studies, albeit for a shorter time period of 3 weeks, rather than 4 or 8 weeks (Barnes et al., 1996; Minkeviciene et al., 2004). In addition, the memantine-treated mice drank less, reducing the daily dose by ∼10%. Our findings, however, are consistent with other research indicating that memantine does not improve learning (Creeley et al., 2006).

Several researchers have shown that certain flavanoid-rich foods enhance learning; however, these studies were often performed in aged animals or transgenic mouse models for neurodegenerative disease (Joseph et al., 1999; Hartman et al., 2006). In this context, a dietary intervention study using flavonoid-rich pomegranate juice was not effective in wild-type animals (Hartman et al., 2006). In addition, often a mixture of various flavanoids has been used in which the active ingredient remains unknown, limiting data interpretation. In a recent study, the flavanol fisetin was found to improve long-term potentiation and learning through a CREB/ERK (cAMP response element-binding protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase) mechanism (Maher et al., 2006). Although an oral feeding paradigm was used to assess learning in vivo, the mechanistic insight is based on ex vivo treatment of tissue slices. This approach excludes factors such as absorption, metabolism, and tissue distribution, which may alter compound bioactivity. In addition, it is not clear whether this flavanol, its metabolites, or other compounds tested in a similar way can cross the blood–brain barrier. We used chemically pure (−)epicatechin, because its metabolism in mammals is well defined (Schroeter et al., 2006). Indeed, (−)epicatechin and its metabolites were detected in brain tissue of mice that were fed the compound, suggesting that (−)epicatechin affects brain function directly. Moreover, systemic injection of a mixture of (−)epicatechin metabolites [3′- and 4′-O-methyl-(−)epicatechin (w/w 1:1; Mars Incorporated)] improved learning in mice (supplemental Fig. 1, available at www.jneurosci.org as supplemental material).

Recent research in humans has shown that (−)epicatechin consumption enhances peripheral circulation (Schroeter et al., 2006) and that a flavanol-rich (−)epicatechin-containing beverage can influence cortical blood flow (Fisher et al., 2006; Francis et al., 2006). However, our study provides the first direct evidence, using lectin staining, that oral administration of (−)epicatechin enhanced angiogenesis in the brain and thus might improve memory. In particular, vasculature was increased in the DG of the hippocampus. Whether this enhancement reflects an increase in size of existing vessels or the genesis of new blood vessels remains to be determined. Interestingly, new cell survival in this neurogenic brain region was not improved. This finding indicates that changes in the vascular niche (Palmer et al., 2000; Pereira et al., 2007) induced by (−)epicatechin are not necessarily predictive of effects on cell genesis. It is likely that additional factors, such as changes in neurotrophin gene expression, may be important for the genesis of new cells.

In the experiment in which the flavanol diet and exercise are combined, we show that new cell survival is increased in both the exercise-only (CR) and ER groups. An apparent paradox of these results is that cell genesis is increased to a greater extent in CR than in ER but that memory is improved only in ER. In contrast to unlimited voluntary exercise (van Praag et al., 1999, 2005), 2 h of daily running is not sufficient to improve memory function when the mice are trained with two trials per day. This paradigm was chosen to prevent a ceiling effect of running on learning that could mask consequences of flavanol intake. It is of interest, however, that 2 h of daily exercise does improve retention when mice are trained with four trials rather than two trials per day in the water maze (data not shown). Furthermore, although cell genesis was not increased as much in ER as in CR, it should be noted that BrdU labeling is only an indication of cell quantity. Given our data showing that the flavanol increased spine density in existing cells, it is quite possible that the morphology of newborn cells is changed in a similar manner. The reason for the attenuated cell genesis in ER is likely that (−)epicatechin increases NO levels (Schroeter et al., 2006) in the brain, which may lead to reduced cell genesis (Packer et al., 2003). Indeed, genes that suppress cell proliferation [Ptpn11; maximum binding protein (MNT); B-cell translocation gene 1, antiproliferative (Btg1); AXIN2 (axin2)] were upregulated with (−)epicatechin treatment. Additional studies investigating the effects of (−)epicatechin on cell division are needed to address these possible mechanisms of flavanol action.

In addition to cerebral blood flow, neuronal spine density is considered important for learning and memory (Harris and Kater, 1994). (−)Epicatechin, combined with exercise, increased neuronal spine density in the DG. These findings confirm and extend previous work showing that (−)epicatechin influences neurite outgrowth in vitro (Reznichenko et al., 2005). In addition, microarray analysis showed that (−)epicatechin consumption increased expression of several genes associated with neurite extension and synaptic plasticity, such as SNAP-25, Kif17, and Mapk. The changes appear to be quite stable, because both the histological and gene expression effects were observed after 6 weeks of daily flavanol consumption. Together, these findings indicate that (−)epicatechin causes long-lasting structural and functional changes in the mouse brain, especially when linked with physical activity.

It appears that the hippocampus is particularly responsive to the effects of flavanols. Microarray analysis of gene expression in hippocampal tissue after 6 weeks of daily flavanol consumption showed that (−)epicatechin treatment alone, without running, resulted in an upregulation (and downregulation) of genes that did not change when (−)epicatechin was combined with running. Instead, a different set of genes was altered with flavanol consumption and exercise. However, in both conditions [i.e., (−)epicatechin only and (−)epicatechin with physical activity], the expression of genes associated with learning, synaptic plasticity, and angiogenesis was increased, whereas genes relevant to learning deficits and neurodegeneration were decreased. Furthermore, similar to other phytochemical dietary supplements (Baur et al., 2006) and consistent with peripheral effects of flavanols (Mao et al., 2002), (−)epicatechin lowered the expression of gene products that mediate inflammation, lipid synthesis, and cell death.

In conclusion, consumption of (−)epicatechin increases memory function, hippocampal angiogenesis, and neuronal spine density. The effects of the flavanol on spatial memory are enhanced by physical activity. Thus, an active lifestyle combined with a flavanol-rich diet may prevent aging-related cognitive disorders and/or neurodegenerative disease.