We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Antidepressant-like effects of translocator protein (18 kDa) ligand ZBD-2 in mouse models of postpartum depression.
- Authors
Li, Xu-bo; Liu, An; Yang, Le; Zhang, Kun; Wu, Yu-mei; Zhao, Ming-gao; Liu, Shui-bing
- Abstract
The 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) is primarily localized in the outer mitochondrial membrane of steroid-synthesizing cells in the central and peripheral nervous systems. One of the protein’s main functions is transporting substrate cholesterol into the mitochondria in a prerequisite process for steroid synthesis. Clinical trials have indicated that TSPO ligands might be valuable in treating some neuropathies and psychopathies. However, limited information is known about the role of TSPO in postpartum depression (PPD). The TSPO ligand ZBD-2, a derivative of XBD173, was synthesized in our laboratory. Behavioral tests, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and Western blot were employed to evaluate ZBD-2’s efficacy against PPD and to elucidate the potential underlying molecular mechanism. The TSPO levels significantly decreased in the basolateral amygdala of PPD models. After treatment for 2 weeks, ZBD-2 alleviated depression-like behaviors and enhanced the TSPO level in a PPD animal model. The underlying mechanisms of ZBD-2 were related to regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, enhance 5-HT and BDNF secretion, and maintain the excitatory and inhibitory synaptic protein expression to normal levels. Our results directly confirm that ZBD-2 exerts a therapeutic effect on PPD, which provides a new target for anti-PPD drug development.
- Subjects
POSTPARTUM depression; TRANSLOCATOR proteins; LIGANDS (Biochemistry); STEROID synthesis; LABORATORY mice
- Publication
Molecular Brain, 2018, Vol 11, p1
- ISSN
1756-6606
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1186/s13041-018-0355-x