Source: International Stem Cell Research

The ovaries are an important organ in the female reproductive system, carrying out key functions such as egg production and hormone regulation. However, some women are faced with premature ovarian failure during their reproductive years, resulting in a decline in ovarian function, which affects fertility and quality of life.

What is premature ovarian failure？

Premature Ovarian Failure, also known as premature ovarian failure (POF), is when a woman loses ovarian function before the age of 40 due to a variety of causes. It is considered an "incurable disease" that causes infertility. Diagnostic criteria for the disease include amenorrhea for at least four consecutive months before the age of 40, with a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level above 40IU/L and an estradiol (E2) level below 73.2pmol/L more than one month between blood tests. The incidence of premature ovarian failure in women of reproductive age is more than 1%, and in recent years, it is increasing and younger trend. Premature ovarian failure poses two major threats to a woman's reproductive health, namely, reduced estrogen levels and loss of fertility. Lower estrogen levels increase a woman's risk of osteoporosis and coronary heart disease. Early entry into amenorrhea and loss of fertility, but also easily lead to depression, anxiety and other psychological problems.

Common symptoms of premature ovarian failure

Common symptoms of premature ovarian failure include amenorrhea (primary and secondary), infertility, low estrogen symptoms (such as hot flashes, dyspareunia, atrophic vaginitis, and frequent urination, dysuria, etc.), autoimmune diseases (such as Addison's disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, vitiligo, and Crohn's disease, etc.), and other accompanying symptoms (such as weakness, susceptibility to colds, decreased physical strength, obvious fatigue, irritability, skin problems, and osteoporosis, etc.).

Mechanism of action of stem cells in the treatment of premature ovarian failure

As an alternative treatment to repair damaged tissue and restore normal tissue function, stem cell therapy has brought new hope for various refractory diseases, including premature ovarian failure. Stem cells have the potential for self-renewal and multidirectional differentiation and can transform into a variety of cell types, including ovarian cells. The main mechanisms of action of stem cells in the treatment of premature ovarian failure include:

1.1Secretion of multiple cytokines: Stem cells release a variety of cytokines, such as growth factors and cytokines, that promote cell proliferation and repair of damaged tissues.

1.2Repair damaged tissue cells: Stem cells have certain repair ability, can colonize damaged ovarian tissue and differentiate, compensate or replace damaged cells, and restore their function.

1.3Immune regulation: Stem cells have the ability of immune regulation, can inhibit the body's immune response, reduce inflammation, and promote the self-repair of damaged tissues.

1.4Protect ovarian function: Stem cell therapy can repair the ovarian stroma and prevent ovarian fibrosis, thereby protecting damaged ovarian tissue.

1.5Provide nutritional support: Stem cells entering the ovary may locate the site of injury and differentiate into part of the vascular endothelial cells to provide nutritional and oxygen support.

1.6Regulating gene expression: Stem cell therapy may regulate ovarian function by altering the expression of some genes, promoting follicle development and ovulation process.

There are a variety of ways to treat premature ovarian failure with stem cells, including intravenous cell infusion, arterial intervention of ovarian and uterine artery cell injection, and laparoscopic direct view ovarian cell injection. These methods are selected on a case-by-case basis in order to achieve the best treatment results.

The efficacy of stem cells in the treatment of premature ovarian failure is still being explored and validated in clinical studies. Some studies have shown that stem cell therapy can restore ovarian function, promote the recovery of ovulation, and increase the chances of conception!