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LPS

Meaning

LPS, an acronym for Lipopolysaccharide, is a large molecule consisting of a lipid and a polysaccharide that constitutes the major component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Functionally, LPS acts as a potent endotoxin, meaning it is a toxin released upon bacterial cell lysis, and is a major trigger of the innate immune response in the human body. Clinically, the presence of circulating LPS, often indicative of increased intestinal permeability or systemic infection, can induce a state of chronic low-grade inflammation that profoundly affects metabolic and endocrine signaling pathways.