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Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)

Meaning

Lipopolysaccharide, commonly abbreviated as LPS, is a large molecule consisting of a lipid and a polysaccharide found on the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Clinically, LPS is a potent endotoxin that, upon translocation from the gut lumen into the systemic circulation, triggers a significant and potentially detrimental inflammatory response. Elevated circulating LPS is a marker of compromised gut barrier integrity, often termed “leaky gut,” and contributes to chronic low-grade inflammation.