LBP

LBP is an acronym that can refer to several concepts across medicine and biology. The most common meanings are low back pain, a frequent musculoskeletal complaint, and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, a molecule involved in the immune response.

Low back pain (LBP) describes pain or discomfort localized to the lower back, sometimes radiating to the buttocks or legs. It is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care and can result from muscle or ligament strain, degenerative changes, or other conditions. Most episodes are nonspecific, improving with self-care and time. Risk factors include age, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, heavy physical work, pregnancy, and psychosocial stress. Diagnosis is usually clinical, based on history and exam; imaging and laboratory tests are reserved for red flags such as fever, major trauma, progressive weakness, bowel or bladder dysfunction, or suspicion of a serious underlying condition. Treatment emphasizes staying active, physical therapy, and analgesics such as NSAIDs or acetaminophen. Inappropriate bed rest should be avoided, and most people recover within weeks, though recurrences are common. Red flags and persistent symptoms may warrant further evaluation.

Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) is a soluble protein that binds bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and facilitates its recognition by the immune system via the CD14/TLR4 pathway. Produced mainly by the liver, LBP plays a role in modulating innate immune responses to Gram-negative bacterial infections. Circulating LBP levels can rise during inflammation and sepsis, and they are sometimes used as a biomarker to assess infection severity and prognosis, though interpretation depends on the clinical context.