Anxiolytic and Anti-depressive Like Effects of Translocator Protein (18 kDa) Ligand YL-IPA08 in a Rat Model of Postpartum Depression.

Translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) is mainly distributed in the outer mitochondrial membrane of steroid-synthesizing cells in the central and peripheral nervous systems. It mediates cholesterol transportation across the phospholipid membrane, which is a prerequisite for neurosteroid synthesis. Though the ligand of TSPO has clinical value in the diagnosis and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, the pharmacological study of TSPO for anti-postpartum depression has not been reported.