Coffee polyphenols ameliorate early-life stress-induced cognitive deficits in male mice

Neurobiology of Stress, 2024 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100641 · Published: May 15, 2024

Mental Health Neurology Nutrition & Dietetics

Simple Explanation

Early-life stress can negatively impact brain development and increase the risk of cognitive deficits later in life. This study investigates whether coffee polyphenols, specifically caffeic and chlorogenic acids, can protect against these negative effects. Mice exposed to early-life stress were given a diet supplemented with coffee polyphenols. The researchers then assessed their cognitive functions and examined their brains for markers of neurogenesis and neuroinflammation. The study found that coffee polyphenols, when supplemented early in life, protected against cognitive deficits induced by early-life stress in male mice. This protection may be related to the survival of neurons or microglia.

Study Duration

P2-42

Participants

Male C57BL/6 mice (CTL Std n = 12; ES Std n = 12; CTL Poly n = 9; ES Poly n = 14)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Coffee polyphenol supplementation early in life protected against ES-induced later life cognitive deficits, as evidenced by improved performance in object recognition and spatial memory tasks.
2
The polyphenol diet increased microglial cell density in the CA and reduced microglial complexity in the DG, suggesting a modulation of neuroinflammation.
3
Early-life stress increased microglial CD68 expression throughout the hippocampus, indicating increased microglial phagocytic activity.

Research Summary

This study investigated whether coffee polyphenols could protect against early-life stress (ES)-induced cognitive deficits in male mice. ES was induced via limited nesting and bedding, and mice were given a diet supplemented with chlorogenic and caffeic acids. The study found that coffee polyphenols supplemented early in life protected against ES-induced cognitive deficits. This protection may be mediated by the modulation of microglia, but not newborn cell survival. These findings suggest that early nutritional interventions, particularly with polyphenols, may be a promising strategy to protect vulnerable populations exposed to early-life stress from cognitive decline.

Practical Implications

Nutritional Intervention

Early dietary supplementation with coffee polyphenols, like caffeic and chlorogenic acid, could be a strategy to mitigate the long-term cognitive effects of early-life stress.

Microglial Modulation

Further research is needed to understand how polyphenols modulate microglia and how this modulation contributes to cognitive protection in the context of early-life stress.

Vulnerable Populations

These findings highlight the potential of early nutritional interventions for vulnerable populations exposed to early-life stress.

Study Limitations

1
The study focused on male mice only, limiting the generalizability of the findings to females.
2
The study did not assess whether caffeic or chlorogenic acids or their derivatives were present in the breast milk, peripheral tissues, or the brain of the offspring.
3
Causal implications of any of the observed changes will require future investigations.

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