Immunometabolic insights into women's health across all ages

The reproductive phase in women is characterized by fluctuations in sex hormones, as observed during the menstrual cycle. With aging, hormonal transitions occur, leading to a decline in sex hormones and the onset of menopause. These hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman's life significantly impact immune cell activity and metabolism. This literature review elucidates the effects of female sex hormones, particularly estradiol, on immunometabolic modulation in adult and elderly women. Additionally, the review explores the impact of physical activity and exercise as strategies for modulating inflammation, metabolic changes, and preventing chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs). The findings indicate that during the menstrual cycle, sex hormones are significantly associated with inflammatory and lipid proteins, particularly pro-inflammatory markers (such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), LDL-c and non-HDL in the luteal phase, and influence the distribution of specific immune cells (such as monocytes and neutrophils). With the decline in sex hormone concentrations, evidence suggests that women experience a pronounced inflammatory profile, marked by significant secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines due to a shift in immune cell phenotype, reinforcing the relationship between sex hormones and the inflammatory response. However, the literature is beginning to demonstrate more consistently the beneficial effects of exercise training, as it promotes the release of anti-inflammatory and protective markers (such as IL-10, IL-6, HDL-c, HDL/LDL ratio) through improvements in the cellular profile, directly contributing to an enhancement of the immunometabolic profile and the prevention of chronic diseases.