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

Examples of pro-inflammatory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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 genes produce pro-inflammatory proteins that, under normal circumstances, help clear infections. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023

People who eat a lot of these foods tend to have a gut that is more pro-inflammatory, which may cause the gut microbiome to release molecules that influence risk for depression, Chan said. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 20 Sep. 2023

In the case of females, hormones might play a role in inflammatory status, while obesity shares a pro-inflammatory profile with long COVID, the authors write. —Byerin Prater, Fortune Well, 21 Aug. 2023

Furthermore, studies have shown that CBD inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, molecules responsible for promoting inflammation. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 15 Aug. 2023

By inhibiting pro-inflammatory molecules and pathways, CBD can help suppress the immune system's inflammatory response, providing potential relief from inflammation. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 28 July 2023

For example, Cole and his colleagues found that the white blood cells of lonely people tend to turn on genes involved in making pro-inflammatory cytokines and turn off genes responsible for keeping cell proliferation in check. —Connie Chang, Popular Mechanics, 13 June 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Medical 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

When 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