Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Metabolomics and Genomics Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Adv Exp Med Biol. 2021;1341:125-141. doi: 10.1007/5584_2021_623.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common gynecologic endocrine disorder in women between the ages of 15 and 40, with uncertain etiology. It is mostly presented with hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance along with a variety of comorbidities that significantly reduce a patient's quality of life. Many disturbed metabolic pathways are correlated with PCOS. Moreover, it is evident that there is a strong genetic factor for PCOS. Indeed, several altered gene expressions have been found in PCOS subjects, but the exact genetic origins are still unclear. The major treatment options such as pharmacological treatments are to improve the symptoms. In addition, surgical procedures (Bariatric surgery and assisted reproductive technologies) can be used to treat some of the patient's complications and reduce their severity. Generally, using pharmacological agents for a long period of time can increase the risk of adverse effects. Moreover, surgical options may have high-risk consequences. Herein, there is an undeniable need for a different multidisciplinary approach to PCOS. Regenerative medicine with the help of stem cells can develop a worthy alternative approach for the treatment of PCOS. Furthermore, animal models can provide valuable knowledge of genetic alterations and metabolic pathway disturbances in PCOS. They can also be used for testing novel treatments in pre-clinical stages. Therein, the current knowledge of PCOS and investigation about the potential role of regenerative medicine in developing new and more efficient treatments for PCOS are summarized here.
多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)是 15 至 40 岁女性中最常见的妇科内分泌疾病,其病因尚不确定。它主要表现为高雄激素血症和胰岛素抵抗,以及多种合并症,这些合并症显著降低了患者的生活质量。许多紊乱的代谢途径与 PCOS 相关。此外,很明显,PCOS 存在很强的遗传因素。事实上,已经在 PCOS 患者中发现了几个改变的基因表达,但确切的遗传起源仍不清楚。主要的治疗选择,如药物治疗,是为了改善症状。此外,手术程序(减肥手术和辅助生殖技术)可用于治疗一些患者的并发症并减轻其严重程度。一般来说,长期使用药物治疗会增加不良反应的风险。此外,手术选择可能有高风险的后果。因此,人们需要采用一种不同的多学科方法来治疗 PCOS。在干细胞的帮助下,再生医学可以为 PCOS 的治疗提供一种有价值的替代方法。此外,动物模型可以为 PCOS 中的遗传改变和代谢途径紊乱提供有价值的知识。它们还可以用于在临床前阶段测试新的治疗方法。本文总结了 PCOS 的现有知识,以及探讨再生医学在开发治疗 PCOS 的新的、更有效的方法中的潜在作用。