Caffeine Compromises Proliferation of Human Hippocampal Progenitor Cells

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 2020 · DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00806 · Published: September 8, 2020

Neurology Genetics Nutrition & Dietetics

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how caffeine affects the growth and health of brain cells called hippocampal progenitor cells. These cells are important for learning and memory. The research looks at different amounts of caffeine and how short-term and repeated exposure influences these brain cells. The findings suggest that very high caffeine levels can harm these cells, potentially affecting brain function.

Study Duration

Acute (1 day) and repeated (3 days) exposure

Participants

Human hippocampal progenitor cell line HPC0A07/03

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Supraphysiological caffeine concentrations reduce progenitor integrity compared to lower caffeine doses.
2
Repeated exposure to supraphysiological caffeine concentrations reduces hippocampal progenitor proliferation.
3
Caffeine exposure does not affect apoptosis.

Research Summary

This study explores the effects of acute and repeated caffeine exposure at different concentrations on hippocampal progenitor proliferation, integrity, and apoptosis, using an in vitro hippocampal cellular model. The study demonstrates that a repeated supraphysiological dose of caffeine, i.e., 1.0 mM ∼1500 mg or ∼10 cups of coffee, significantly reduces progenitor proliferation. Caffeine, irrespective of the degree of exposure or concentration, does not affect overall, or proliferative, cell death.

Practical Implications

Dietary Impact

Dietary components like caffeine can influence hippocampal progenitor proliferation.

Cognitive Outcomes

The findings may indicate how diet affects cognitive outcomes.

Further Research

Future research should explore the effects of human consumption-related caffeine doses on neural progenitor proliferation and differentiation, correlating these with cognitive outcomes.

Study Limitations

1
The model may have influenced the extent to which caffeine affects this process.
2
The study measures the direct effect of caffeine exposure on hippocampal progenitor cells, without accounting for differential metabolic rates in the liver caused by the CYP1A2 polymorphism.
3
The caffeine concentrations used in this study reflect “intake,” this is not representative of peak plasma levels obtained following caffeine metabolism.

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