Kinins — Possible Physiologic and Pathologic Roles in Man

Abstract

THE term kinin is a generic name for a group of polypeptides¹ with potent biologic activities capable of influencing smooth-muscle contraction,² inducing hypotension,² increasing blood flow³ and microvascular permeability,⁴ inciting pain⁵ and, perhaps, causing the emigration of granulocytic leukocytes.^{6 , 7} Kinins can induce many changes resembling those seen in acute inflammation, and this ability has supported the proposal that kinins have a primary etiologic role in the development of the acute inflammatory process. Other vasoactive polypeptides, including oxytocin, vasopressin, substance P, angiotensin and eledoisin, have some activities similar to the kinins; yet they do not have all the properties that make . . .