leukotriene

[ loo-kuh-trahy-een ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a lipid, C 20 H 30 O 3 , produced by white blood cells in an immune response to antigens, that contributes to allergic asthma and inflammatory reactions.

leukotriene

/ ˌluːkəʊˈtraɪiːn /

noun

1. one of a class of products of metabolic conversion of arachidonic acid; the active constituents of slow-reacting substance, responsible for bronchial constriction, contraction of smooth muscle, and inflammatory processes

Word History and Origins

Origin of leukotriene¹

First recorded in 1975–80; leuko- + triene

Word History and Origins

Origin of leukotriene¹

C20: from leukocyte, in which they were discovered + triene from the conjugated triene unit that they contain

Example Sentences

The drug Rockson's group is studying blocks a lipid molecule, known as leukotriene B4, that curbs this regrowth.

From Science Magazine

Ubenimex knocks leukotriene B4's concentration down to the progrowth range.

From Science Magazine

Records showed that 77 percent of the children were supposed to use inhaled corticosteroids, 22 percent were to take leukotriene antagonists and 1 in 10 were to take a combination of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta agonists such as Advair.

From US News

“All the medicines that are used to treat asthma, with the exceptions of leukotriene modifiers, are used to treat COPD,” Foggs says.

From US News

When the researchers accounted for mental health problems and other factors, they found no connection between leukotriene modifiers and suicide risk, according to findings published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

From Reuters