Bradykinin and Related Kinins:Cardiovascular, Biochemical and Neural Actions

At the turn of the present century, researchers recognized that damaged tissue released chemical agents capable of causing catastrophic effects on the whole organism upon entering the blood stream. Following the discovery of histamine, these agents at first seemed identifiable with biogenic amines. However, very soon after the development of highly selective antagonists, little responsibility was ascribed to the amines, and the tissue factors were wrapped once again in mystery. One can imagine perhaps and envy the fascinating moments experienced by the pioneers in the kinin field when they realized that plasma had an enormous store of principles endowed with biologic activity, practically indistinguishable from histamine, possessing a complex turnover and regulated by obscure biochemical mechanisms. Like other biochemical eras, the era of the kinins was opened by a pioneer stage exceptionally long and exciting. After years of arduous isolation, researchers realized that kinins may not only be the key to unlocking the mystery of histamine-like substances, but also may open the way to understanding other basic problems in pathology possibly associated with tissue factors. The Symposi