LEUKOTRIENE Meaning and
Definition
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Leukotrienes are lipid-based compounds that are produced by various cells of the immune system, such as mast cells, basophils, eosinophils, and macrophages. They are derived from arachidonic acid, which is released from cell membranes upon activation or injury. Leukotrienes are important mediators of inflammation, particularly in immune responses and allergic reactions.
There are several types of leukotrienes, including leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and the cysteinyl leukotrienes, which include leukotriene C4 (LTC4), leukotriene D4 (LTD4), and leukotriene E4 (LTE4). These compounds play a crucial role in the inflammatory response by promoting vasodilation, increasing vascular permeability, and recruiting immune cells to the site of inflammation.
Leukotrienes are involved in various physiological and pathological processes, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and other inflammatory conditions. In asthma, for example, leukotrienes cause bronchoconstriction, increased mucus production, and airway inflammation, leading to symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Pharmaceutical intervention targeting leukotrienes has become an important therapeutic strategy in treating various inflammatory diseases. Drugs known as leukotriene receptor antagonists, such as montelukast and zileuton, block the action of leukotrienes by inhibiting their binding to specific receptors, thereby reducing inflammation and improving symptoms.
In conclusion, leukotrienes are lipid-based compounds produced by immune cells involved in the inflammatory response. They play a significant role in the pathogenesis of various diseases and serve as important targets for therapeutic intervention.
Common Misspellings for LEUKOTRIENE
- keukotriene
- peukotriene
- oeukotriene
- lwukotriene
- lsukotriene
- ldukotriene
- lrukotriene
- l4ukotriene
- l3ukotriene
- leykotriene
- lehkotriene
- lejkotriene
- leikotriene
- le8kotriene
- le7kotriene
- leujotriene
- leumotriene
- leulotriene
- leuootriene
Etymology of LEUKOTRIENE
The word "leukotriene" is derived from two components: "leuko" and "trienes".
The term "leuko" is derived from the Greek word "leukos", meaning "white". In medical terminology, "leuko" is commonly associated with "leukocyte" or "white blood cell".
The second component, "trienes", is derived from "triene", which refers to a type of hydrocarbon compound containing three double bonds. The term "triene" is derived from the word "tri-" (meaning three) and "-ene" (referring to an unsaturated hydrocarbon chain).
When combined, "leukotriene" describes a family of lipid compounds derived from arachidonic acid, which were originally identified in leukocytes (white blood cells). These compounds have a three double-bond structure (tri-ene) within their chemical composition.
