Kinins — Possible Physiologic and Pathologic Roles in Man

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 . . .