Kinin cascade

The kinin cascade is the fourth important plasma cascade system, next to the coagulation, fibrinolytic and complement cascades. Its main end product is bradykinin, a substance with a number of physiological effects, which is mainly used in inflammation, edemas, and pain.

Bradykinin
Bradykinin is a nonapeptide with powerful biological activity that:


 * causes vasodilatation,
 * increases vascular permeability,
 * causes hypotension,
 * stimulates nociceptors, participates in pain perception,
 * induces smooth muscle contraction in a number of locations,
 * activates phospholipase A2 and cellular metabolism arachidonic acids.

Kinin Cascade Proteins
Four protein components are involved in the formation of bradykinin, which are synthesized in the liver:


 * coagulation factor XII (Hageman factor),
 * coagulation factor XI,
 * prekallikrein,
 * high molecular weight kininogen.

Related Articles

 * Coagulation
 * Fibrinolysis
 * Complement