Lexic.us

Definition of C-reactive protein

1. Noun. A byproduct of inflammation; a globulin that is found in the blood in some cases of acute inflammation.

Definition of C-reactive protein

1. Noun. (hematology) A protein found in the blood, whose plasma concentrations are raised in patients with infection or inflammation. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Medical Definition of C-reactive protein

1. This blood test is used as an indicator of acute inflammation. C-reactive protein is a protein of the pentraxin family, produced by the liver during periods of inflammation and detectable in serum in various disease conditions particularly during the acute phase of immune response. Normally C-reactive protein should be negative in the bloodstream. C-reactive protein is synthesised by hepatocytes and its production may be triggered by prostaglandin E1 or parogen. It consists of five polypeptide sub units forming a molecule of total molecular weight 105 kD. It binds to polysaccharides present in a wide range of bacterial, fungal and other cell walls or cell surfaces and to lecithin and to phosphoryl or choline containing molecules. It is related in structure to Serum Amyloid. And C polysaccharide. Conditions which can cause a positive C-reactive protein include: rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, pneumococcal pneumonia, rheumatic fever, cancer, tuberculosis and myocardial infarction. A positive C-reactive protein may also be seen in the later half of pregnancy and in some who are taking birth control pills. See: acute phase proteins (06 Oct 1997)

Lexicographical Neighbors of C-reactive Protein

Literary usage of C-reactive protein

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Reviews in Environmental Health (1998): Toxicological Defense Mechanics edited by Gary E. R. Hook, George W. Lucier (2000)
"... Zn; MT; and many liver-mediated proteins such as glycoprotein, C-reactive protein, complement C3, fibrinogen, and antiproteases. Stress Response. ..."

2. Oxygen/Nitrogen Radicals and Cellular Injury edited by Kenneth B. Adler, Robert D. Devlin, Val Vallyathan (2000)
"... number of swollen and tender joints, and serum levels of c-reactive protein, TNF, and IL-6). We had earlier noted comparable associations (35). ..."

3. Diarrhea and Malnutrition: Interactions, Mechanisms, and Interventions by Lincoln C. Chen, Nevin S. Scrimshaw (1983)
"These include the complement proteins, immunoglobulins, and the largely liver- derived acute phase proteins (APPs) such as c-reactive protein, serum amyloid ..."

4. Nutrient Composition of Rations for Short-term, High-intensity Combat Operations by Institute of Medicine (U. S.), Fnb, High-stress Situations, Committee on Military Nutrition Research, National Academy of Sciences (2006)
"We found that AO supplementation had no effect on exercise-induced increases in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a, interleukin (IL)-6, c-reactive protein (CRP), ..."

Other Resources: