Abstract:

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a condition in which the pelvic floor muscles and fascial tissues are weakened, leading to the descent of pelvic organs such as the uterus and vagina from their normal anatomical positions, resulting in anatomical displacement and functional abnormalities of the corresponding organs. It severely impacts patients' quality of life. Its pathogenesis is complex and is primarily associated with disturbances in the extracellular matrix microenvironment of pelvic floor tissues. Abnormalities in the content or compositional ratios of structural proteins such as collagen in pelvic floor tissues, oxidative stress damage caused by reactive oxygen species accumulation, abnormal release of inflammatory factors such as interleukins, dysregulated expression of mitochondria-related proteins, and an imbalance between cellular senescence and apoptosis are considered important contributors to the development and progression of POP. Focusing on the aforementioned pathophysiological processes, disease-related microRNAs, and imaging indicators, this review summarizes potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for POP. It aims to provide a theoretical basis for an in-depth exploration of POP pathogenesis and offer new perspectives for disease screening, diagnosis, treatment, and prediction of recurrence risk.

Key words: Pelvic organ prolapse, Extracellular matrix, Oxidative stress, Reactive oxygen species, Cellular senescence, MicroRNAs