HealthAugust 16, 2026

lipopolysaccharide

LY-poh-PAH-lee-SAK-uh-ride

Definition

A large molecule consisting of a lipid and a polysaccharide found in the outer membrane of certain bacteria, which acts as an endotoxin that can trigger harmful inflammation in the body.

Etymology

The word is a compound derived from Greek 'lipos' (fat) and 'polys' (many) plus 'sacchar' (sugar), combined with 'ide' to indicate a chemical compound.

In the news

The article notes that current gum disease treatments can unintentionally release lipopolysaccharide, an endotoxin that worsens inflammation, highlighting the need for more precise therapies.

New Treatment Targets Gum Disease Without Killing Good Bacteria

Read the full article ↗

SciTechDaily

Related words

abiraterone

A medication that blocks an enzyme required for the production of androgens, used to…

Health

acetoacetate

A type of ketone body produced by the liver that serves as an alternative energy source…

Health

agonism

The physiological effect caused by a substance that binds to a receptor to stimulate a…

Health

alveolar

Relating to the alveolar process, the thickened ridge of bone in the jaw that contains…

Health

angiogenesis

The physiological process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels,…

Health

antepartum

Relating to the period of time during pregnancy before the onset of labor.

Health

Learn words like this every day

Meet new words every morning.

Newspoken pulls carefully chosen words from the day’s news — with clear definitions, context, and light review that makes them stick. Get it on your phone.