植物雌激素改善结肠炎的研究进展

The Research Progress of Phytoestrogens in Improving Colitis

摘要: 溃疡性结肠炎(Ulcerative Colitis, UC)是一种反复发作的慢性炎症性肠病，性别差异在UC的流行病学、症状表现以及治疗反应中起着重要作用。女性的激素水平波动，特别是妊娠期和月经周期等生理变化，在一定程度上改善该疾病的活动性。男性与女性的UC发病率无明显差异，但男性的疾病活动性和严重程度更高。植物雌激素是具有雌激素特性的小分子化合物，与人体雌激素受体亲和力高，在治疗乳腺癌、骨质疏松症、动脉粥样硬化、神经退行性疾病和自身免疫性疾病等疾病呈现良好的前景。植物雌激素具有抗结肠炎的效应，在抑制炎症反应、调节免疫应答、保护肠道屏障和维持肠道菌群健康等方面发挥重要作用。本文主要阐述植物雌激素的作用与机制，以及从炎症、免疫、肠道屏障和菌群的角度对植物雌激素改善实验性结肠炎的作用机制进行归纳总结，为该领域的研究提供参考。

Abstract: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory bowel disease, and gender differences play a significant role in the epidemiology, clinical manifestation, and therapeutic response of UC. Fluctuations in estrogen levels in females, particularly during pregnancy and the menstrual cycle, can partially improve the disease activity. The incidence of UC is similar between males and females; however, males tend to have more severe disease activity and greater severity. Phytoestrogens are small molecules with estrogen-like properties that exhibit a high affinity for human estrogen receptors. They show promising potential in the treatment of various diseases, such as breast cancer, osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases, and autoimmune diseases. Phytoestrogens have demonstrated anti-colitis effects, playing an important role in inhibiting inflammatory responses, regulating immune responses, protecting the intestinal barrier, and maintaining gut microbiota health. This paper primarily discusses the actions and mechanisms of phytoestrogens, summarizing their mechanisms in improving experimental colitis from the perspectives of inflammation, immunity, intestinal barrier, and microbiota, thus providing a reference for further research in this field.