The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a frequent endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. Its main characteristics are the ovarian overproduction of androgens and ovulatory dysfunction which lead to severe symptoms such as hirsutism, acne, insulin resistance, and infertility. Despite the frequency and disease burden of PCOS, its underlying causes remain unknown, and no causal therapeutic options are available. In recent years, several studies have shown that women with PCOS present with chronic low-grade inflammation indicating an overactivity of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1). We show here how IL-1 might affect the ovarian physiology and pathophysiology in animals and humans by reviewing experimental studies on ovarian IL-1 system gene expression and on the effects of exogenous IL-1 on ovarian functions. Although IL-1 ligands and receptors are expressed within the ovarian cells, IL-1 seems to negatively affect the delicate balance between the sex hormones and dominant follicle development, as well as fertility. Whether blockade of the IL-1 signaling leads to an improvement of PCOS-related hormonal abnormalities and symptoms remains to be elucidated in future interventional studies.

中文翻译：

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多囊卵巢综合征的慢性低度炎症：白介素1是否有（病理）生理作用？

多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）是育龄妇女的一种常见的内分泌疾病。其主要特征是卵巢中雄激素的过量生产和排卵功能障碍，导致严重的症状，例如多毛症，痤疮，胰岛素抵抗和不育。尽管PCOS的频率和疾病负担很大，其根本原因仍然未知，并且没有因果疗法可供选择。近年来，一些研究表明，患有PCOS的女性患有慢性低度炎症，表明促炎性细胞因子白介素-1（IL-1）活性过度。我们在这里通过回顾关于卵巢IL-1系统基因表达的实验研究以及外源性IL-1对卵巢功能的影响来展示IL-1如何影响动物和人类的卵​​巢生理和病理生理。尽管IL-1配体和受体在卵巢细胞内表达，但IL-1似乎对性激素与主要卵泡发育以及生育能力之间的微妙平衡产生负面影响。IL-1信号传导的阻滞是否导致PCOS相关激素异常和症状的改善尚待进一步的干预研究中阐明。