KININS - STATUS-REPORT

This brief survey of the literature indicates that the components of the [mammalian] kallikrein-kinin-kininase systems have functions other than the release and inactivation of kinins. They contribute to blood clotting, to the inactivation of anaphylatoxins, to the activation of plasminogen and angiotensin I, etc. Kinins themselves are hypotensive; they increase capillary permeability, cause pain and are chemotactic to leucocytes, but in addition they release other agents such as cathecholamines, histamine or prostaglandins, and can accentuate or modify the primary actions of the agents.