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leukotriene
noun
leu·ko·tri·ene
ˌlü-kō-ˈtrī-ˌēn
: any of a group of eicosanoids that participate in allergic responses (such as bronchial constriction)
Examples of leukotriene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Leukotriene Inhibitors Medications like montelukast can help manage respiratory symptoms by blocking leukotrienes, which are involved in inflammatory responses.
—Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024
Other medications include what are known as leukotriene modifiers, which block the action of inflammatory chemicals the immune system produces in the presence of allergens.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 25 June 2024
People with asthma may require higher doses of inhaled corticosteroids or the addition of other medicines, such as leukotriene inhibitors.
—Ray Hainer, Health, 3 May 2024
These medications block leukotrienes—chemicals your body produces when it’s exposed to allergens—from binding to your cells.
—Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 19 Jan. 2024
What leukotriene modifiers such as Singulair are not supposed to do is cross the blood-brain barrier.
—Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 19 Jan. 2024
Other protiens found in their saliva, such as tryptase and leukotrienes, can directly cause itchiness.
—Emily Shiffer, Health, 7 Mar. 2023
The risk was lower in people who took a drug that blocked leukotrienes.
—Stacey Burling, Philly.com, 8 June 2018
The Temple researchers tried the drug because of their previous work on leukotrienes, inflammatory molecules that don’t work properly in Alzheimer’s disease or frontotemporal dementia.
—Stacey Burling, Philly.com, 8 June 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'leukotriene.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1979, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near leukotriene
Cite this Entry
“Leukotriene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leukotriene. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Medical Definition
leukotriene
noun
leu·ko·tri·ene
ˌlü-kə-ˈtrī-ˌēn
: any of a group of eicosanoids that are generated in basophils, mast cells, macrophages, and human lung tissue by lipoxygenase-catalyzed oxygenation especially of arachidonic acid and that participate in allergic responses (as bronchoconstriction in asthma) see slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis
More from Merriam-Webster on leukotriene
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about leukotriene
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