Bradykinin is a type of plasma hormone that causes blood vessels to dilate, resulting in a drop in blood pressure, the contraction of muscles in the lungs, intestines, and uterus, and pain. The Kinin System reviews the molecular biology of the kinins through their roles in a complex array of inflammatory conditions such as asthma, GI disease, cardiovascular complaints and examines the future therapeutic opportunities. From the prepublication reviews: "A delicious masterpiece." --Chef's DigestThe Kinin System is a comprehensive, timely book covering all aspects of the kinin system from its disocvery to the pathophysiology, pharmacology, and molecular biology of the mechanisms regulating kinin production to kinin receptors in health and disease. The authors take a refreshingly different view of the kinin system than previous books on the subject. Several chapters contain new information on the gene expression, regulation, and cell surface presentation of kininogens and kallikreins, as well as new data, some of it from human studies, on the role of kinins in pain angiogenesis, tissue repair, sepsis, arthritis, asthma, allergic rhinits, myocardial ischemia, and other diseases. * * Offers new information on kinin reception, regulation of gene expression of receptors, and kinin-generating proteins. * Provides a distinctly immunopharmacological approach to the kinin system. * Reviews of the role of kinins in disease and inlcudes data from human studies. * Includes information that is fully up-to-date and comprehensive.

This handbook of kinin biology and biochemistry covers the current knowledge of kinins, a family of peptides involved in numerous physiological and pathophysiological processes. Recent publications have shown that the kinin system is highly relevant in a variety of disease states such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and traumatic injuries. Furthermore, the first drug targeting system has just been approved for clinical use. The goal of this book is to provide advanced students and researchers a basic understanding of the kinin system and its role within the various organ systems. The authors of this book are experts in their fields, including a Nobel Laureate.

Volume XXV of the Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology series entitled "Bradykinin, Kallidin, and Kallikrein" was published in 1970. My aim in editing this volume of the series is not to replace, but to update the 1970 edition. During the decade preceding the publication of Vol. XXV, the existence of kinins and kallikreins gained acceptance, the protein components of the system were purified and characterized and the peptides were synthesized. Even after these accomplish ments, interest in the subject has not abated, but has increased substantially. We have learned a great deal about the role that components of the kallikrein-kinin system play in other systems and about the immensely complex and intricate inter actions in blood. Directly or indirectly, kallikrein and kinins affect the coagulation of blood, the activation of complement, and the generation of angiotensin. Kinins release or modulate the actions of other agents, including prostaglandins, histamine, and catecholamines. Inhibitors of kallikrein or kininase II are employed, for example, in extracorporeal circulation or in hypertension. Kallikrein, kinins, and kininases, present in urine, were described first in 1925 and 1954, but have been ignored for decades. These substances are now studied extensively because of their possible role in blood pressure regulation. The evidence that kinins have a metabolic function is also increasing. The abundance of active components of the system in genital organs suggests a role in the fertilization process. The book is organized into chapters which bear upon these issues.

Bradykinin is a type of plasma hormone that causes blood vessels to dilate, resulting in a drop in blood pressure, the contraction of muscles in the lungs, intestines, and uterus, and pain. The Kinin System reviews the molecular biology of the kinins through their roles in a complex array of inflammatory conditions such as asthma, GI disease, cardiovascular complaints and examines the future therapeutic opportunities. From the prepublication reviews:"A delicious masterpiece."--Chef's DigestThe Kinin System is a comprehensive, timely book covering all aspects of the kinin system from its disocvery to the pathophysiology, pharmacology, and molecular biology of the mechanisms regulating kinin production to kinin receptors in health and disease. The authors take a refreshingly different view of the kinin system than previous books on the subject. Several chapters contain new information on the gene expression, regulation, and cell surface presentation of kininogens and kallikreins, as well as new data, some of it from human studies, on the role of kinins in pain angiogenesis, tissue repair, sepsis, arthritis, asthma, allergic rhinits, myocardial ischemia, and other diseases.* * Offers new information on kinin reception, regulation of gene expression of receptors, and kinin-generating proteins.* Provides a distinctly immunopharmacological approach to the kinin system.* Reviews of the role of kinins in disease and inlcudes data from human studies.* Includes information that is fully up-to-date and comprehensive.

This volume presents key topics of current interest with regard to several pathophysiological conditions including (a) the basic and clinical aspects of bradykinin receptor antagonists, (b) the kallikrein-kinin pathways in hypertension and diabetes, (c) tissue kallikrein-kinin therapy for hypertension and organ damage, (d) the renal (tissue) kallikrein-kinin system in the kidney and novel potential drugs for salt-sensitive hypertension, (e) the kallikrein-kinin system in diabetes retinopathy, and (f) genetic manipulation and genetic variation of the kallikrein-kinin system and their impacts on cardiovascular and renal disease. Written by internationally reputed scientists, the book provides an essential overview of the latest developments in the field of kinin research, making it a valuable asset for endocrinologists, nephrologists, cardiologists, pharmacologists, physiologists, ophthalmologists and rheumatologists. Furthermore, it is also intended for postgraduate students in the fields of medicine, pharmacy, physiology and pharmacology, and those working at research organizations.

The papers collected in this volume were presented at the International Symposium on Hypotensive Peptides held in Flor ence, Italy, on October 25-29, 1965. The purpose of the meeting was to bring together scientists of fourteen countries ranging from the chemist to the surgeon, who usually do not speak a common language and for whom it would be quite difficult to follow the latest developments in fields allied to, but still some what removed from their basic interest. Their reports sum marized their recent progress and current achievements, and gave indication of the trend that future research on hypotensive peptides may take. Various aspects of the structure and function of brady kinin, kallidin, kallikrein, gastrin, eledoiSin, physalaemin, sub stance P, and related substances were discussed during the nine sessions. The first session was devoted to the chemistry of peptides. This was followed in loose order by reports dealing with the structure of some newer peptides, with kininogen, and with enzymes that release or inactivate peptides. Subsequently, reports on the physiological, pharmacological, pathological, and clinical importance of kinins, kallikrein, and eledoisin were presented. One entire session was devoted to substance P. At the closing session two motion pictures demonstrated the effect of the peptides on the circulation. The appendix of this volume contains the report of the international Committee on Nomenclature.

Scientists from 25 countries came together at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on October 21-25, 1984, for the 4th International Kinin Congress in the beautiful city of Savannah, Georgia. Many of the delegates enjoyed southern hospitality for the first time. The friendly city with its streets lined with the Live Oak Tree (symbol of the Congress), the balmy weather, and the excellent facilities of the hotel set the stage for scientific events and exchange that proved so successful. The organ ization of the meeting was the result of many hours, days and weeks of effort by many, including from Augusta Drs. James H. Sutherland, John Catravas, William Davis, Jr. , and Hiroshi Okamoto; and from Charleston, SC, Julie Chao, Ronald Mayfield and Donald Miller. Special thanks go to Ms. Cher Cornett of the Department of Medical Illustration at the Medical College of Georgia for her talent in the design of the logo, as well as the graphics of the program and abstracts. We are indeed indebted to Dr. Paul Brucker, Director of the Division of Health Communi cations at the Medical College of Georgia, for his considerable aid in spending time with us to arrange the programming format and continuity. Ms. Sandra Usry provided very excellent and devoted secretarial help for several years while the Congress was in the making.