pro-inflammatory
adjective
pro-in·flam·ma·to·ry
(ˌ)prō-in-ˈfla-mə-ˌtȯr-ē 
variants
or proinflammatory
: promoting inflammation : capable of causing inflammation
pro-inflammatory cytokines
proinflammatory effects
The findings showed a pro-inflammatory diet with sugar, high saturated fat and processed food was associated with a higher risk of depression.—
Martin Bagot
Martin BagotExamples of pro-inflammatory in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Research has shown that patients with a variety of psychiatric conditions have a balance of gut bacteria that includes more of certain pro-inflammatory bacteria and less of those with anti-inflammatory effects.
—Will Stone, NPR, 25 June 2024
Inflammatory cells and cytokines (pro-inflammatory signal proteins that activate immune cells) are initially produced by the body to protect and can result in temporary pain, redness, and swelling.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 18 June 2024
When dialed down, the mice experienced an out-of-control inflammatory response, with a corresponding rise in pro-inflammatory molecules and a dip in anti-inflammatory molecules.
—Esther Landhuis, Quanta Magazine, 14 June 2024
Historically, medicine has acted through increasingly sophisticated forms of chemistry: aspirin blocks a pro-inflammatory enzyme; Lipitor inhibits the synthesis of cholesterol.
—Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 13 June 2024
Green Leafy Vegetables Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, may be key in protecting the body against pro-inflammatory molecules called cytokines.22 One of the best sources of vitamin E is leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, Swiss chard, and kale.
—Amanda MacMillan, Health, 1 June 2024
To assess how prune consumption may have affected bone health, the researchers analyzed the participants’ levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 17 May 2024
Colloidal oatmeal—oats ground, boiled, and milled into a fine powder—works to soothe itchy skin by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines.
—Karen Pallarito, Health, 24 Mar. 2024
Likewise, these individuals are likely to have higher C-reactive protein levels due to having a more pro-inflammatory state.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 10 Jan. 2024
Will Stone, NPR, 25 June 2024
Inflammatory cells and cytokines (pro-inflammatory signal proteins that activate immune cells) are initially produced by the body to protect and can result in temporary pain, redness, and swelling.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 18 June 2024
When dialed down, the mice experienced an out-of-control inflammatory response, with a corresponding rise in pro-inflammatory molecules and a dip in anti-inflammatory molecules.
—Esther Landhuis, Quanta Magazine, 14 June 2024
Historically, medicine has acted through increasingly sophisticated forms of chemistry: aspirin blocks a pro-inflammatory enzyme; Lipitor inhibits the synthesis of cholesterol.
—Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 13 June 2024
Green Leafy Vegetables Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, may be key in protecting the body against pro-inflammatory molecules called cytokines.22 One of the best sources of vitamin E is leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, Swiss chard, and kale.
—Amanda MacMillan, Health, 1 June 2024
To assess how prune consumption may have affected bone health, the researchers analyzed the participants’ levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 17 May 2024
Colloidal oatmeal—oats ground, boiled, and milled into a fine powder—works to soothe itchy skin by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines.
—Karen Pallarito, Health, 24 Mar. 2024
Likewise, these individuals are likely to have higher C-reactive protein levels due to having a more pro-inflammatory state.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 10 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pro-inflammatory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pro-inflammatory
Cite this Entry
“Pro-inflammatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pro-inflammatory. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
pro-inflammatory
adjective
pro-in·flam·ma·to·ry
(ˈ)prō-in-ˈfla-mə-ˌtȯr-ē
variants
or proinflammatory
: promoting inflammation : capable of causing inflammation
pro-inflammatory cytokines
… viruses also trigger pro-inflammatory responses, which remain poorly defined.—Daniel A. Muruve et al., Nature
Daniel A. Muruve et al., NatureWhen the lesions are traumatized, or rubbed firmly, the cutaneous mast cells may release proinflammatory mediators, causing edema, erythema, and even vesicle formation.—Melissa M. Burnett et al., The New England Journal of Medicine
Melissa M. Burnett et al., The New England Journal of MedicineLove words? Need even more definitions?
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