This study investigated the effects of (-)-epicatechin (EC), its oligomers, dimer B2 (B2) and trimer C1 (C1), on calcium-dependent cell oxidation. Jurkat T cells were subjected to a Ca(2+) mobilization challenge by replacing Na(+) with K(+) in the incubation media. A 249+/-38% increase in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) was observed and that effect was prevented by the presence of inhibitors of Ca(2+) mobilization and entrance. The pre-incubation of the cells in the presence of EC, B2 or C1 prevented K(+)-mediated increase in [Ca(2+)](i). IC(50) were 10, 24 and 196 nMfor EC, B2 and C1, respectively. Cell membrane depolarization was affected by K(+), but neither inhibitors of Ca(2+) mobilization nor EC, B2 or C1 modified the increase in membrane potential. An 84+/-7% increase in cell oxidants was observed after cell exposure to K(+). This increase was prevented by the inhibition of Ca(2+) mobilization, NADPH oxidase and protein kinase C, as well as by 10 nM EC, 10 nM B2 or 100 nM C1. In addition, EC and B2 (100 nM) significantly inhibited the activation of the [Ca(2+)](i)-regulated transcription factor NFAT. These results indicate that EC and related oligomers, assayed at physiologically achievable concentrations, can modulate [Ca(2+)](i) and then prevent cell oxidation and other Ca(2+)-regulated events.