Recent studies highlight the prominent role played by estrogens in protecting the central nervous system (CNS) against the noxious consequences of a chronic inflammatory reaction. The neurodegenerative process of several CNS diseases, including Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases, is associated with the activation of microglia cells, which drive the resident inflammatory response. Chronically stimulated during neurodegeneration, microglia cells are thought to provide detrimental effects on surrounding neurons. The inhibitory activity of estrogens on neuroinflammation and specifically on microglia might thus be considered as a beneficial therapeutic opportunity for delaying the onset or progression of neurodegenerative diseases; in addition, understanding the peculiar activity of this female hormone on inflammatory signalling pathways will possibly lead to the development of selected anti-inflammatory molecules. This review summarises the evidence for the involvement of microglia in neuroinflammation and the anti-inflammatory activity played by estrogens specifically in microglia.

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大脑中雌激素的抗炎活性：更年期和神经退行性疾病的治疗机会

最近的研究强调了雌激素在保护中枢神经系统（CNS）免受慢性炎症反应的有害后果方面发挥的重要作用。多种中枢神经系统疾病（包括多发性硬化症、阿尔茨海默病和帕金森病）的神经退行性过程与小胶质细胞的激活有关，小胶质细胞可驱动体内炎症反应。小胶质细胞在神经退行性变过程中受到长期刺激，被认为会对周围的神经元产生有害影响。因此，雌激素对神经炎症、特别是小胶质细胞的抑制活性可能被认为是延缓神经退行性疾病发作或进展的有益治疗机会；此外，了解这种雌性激素对炎症信号通路的特殊活性可能会导致选定的抗炎分子的开发。这篇综述总结了小胶质细胞参与神经炎症以及雌激素特别在小胶质细胞中发挥的抗炎活性的证据。