Role of Macrophage Polarization in Chronic Low-grade Inflammation of PCOS Based on Theory of Spleen Being in Charge of Defensive Function
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20241296
- VernacularTitle:从“脾为之卫”理论探析巨噬细胞极化在PCOS慢性低度炎症中的作用
- Author:
Tingting SHANG
1
;
Zixun ZHUANG
1
;
Hua MA
1
;
Bingying FAN
1
;
Qingling REN
1
Author Information
1. The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine，Nanjing 210029，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS）;
spleen being in charge of defensive function;
macrophage polarization;
chronic low-grade inflammation
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2024;30(9):211-218
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） is a reproductive endocrine disorder characterized by coexisting reproductive dysfunction and glucolipid metabolic disturbance， affecting 8%-13% of women of reproductive age and 3%-11% of adolescent females. Due to the highly heterogeneous clinical features， symptom-oriented individualized strategies are commonly adopted for the treatment of PCOS. Chronic low-grade inflammation is one of the core mechanisms for the occurrence of PCOS. Macrophages， as foundational cells of innate immunity， play an indispensable role in modulating systemic inflammatory responses. The imbalance of macrophage M1/M2 polarization is involved in chronic low-grade inflammation in PCOS via pathways such as activating pro-inflammatory responses， disrupting ovarian tissue repair， stimulating excessive synthesis of androgens， and promoting the occurrence of insulin resistance. Reshaping the phenotype of macrophages might serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for PCOS. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） holds that spleen deficiency and phlegm dampness is a crucial pathogenesis of PCOS. The spleen， being in charge of defensive function， plays a key role in ensuring normal physiological functions such as transportation and defense against external pathogen during the occurrence and development of PCOS. The imbalance of macrophage polarization resembles the transition from spleen being in charge of defensive function to spleen losing its defensive role in TCM. Therefore， this paper， for the first time， explores the deep connection between macrophage polarization and the pathogenesis of chronic low-grade inflammation in PCOS from the TCM theory of spleen being in charge of defensive function， providing theoretical support and new research directions for the treatment and drug research of PCOS.
