Kinins

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Kinins are a group of polypeptides that are involved in various physiological and pathological processes. They are part of the Kallikrein-Kinin System, which is involved in inflammation, blood pressure regulation, coagulation, and pain induction.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Kinins are produced through the action of kallikreins, which are a group of serine proteases. The most important kinins are bradykinin and kallidin, which are potent vasodilators. They are also involved in the induction of pain, increase in vascular permeability, and contraction of smooth muscle.

Function[edit | edit source]

Kinins function by binding to specific G protein-coupled receptors on the surface of cells. This leads to the activation of various intracellular signaling pathways, resulting in a variety of physiological effects.

Role in Disease[edit | edit source]

Abnormalities in the kallikrein-kinin system have been implicated in a number of diseases, including hypertension, inflammation, and cancer. In particular, excessive production of kinins can lead to edema, hypotension, and pain.

Therapeutic Potential[edit | edit source]

Due to their role in disease, kinins and the kallikrein-kinin system are potential targets for therapeutic intervention. For example, drugs that inhibit the production of kinins or block their receptors could be used to treat conditions such as hypertension and inflammation.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Kinins Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD