Kinins are proteins in the blood that cause inflammation and affect blood pressure (especially low blood pressure).
They also:
- Increase blood flow throughout the body
- Make it easier for fluids to pass through small blood vessels
- Stimulate pain receptors
- Are part of a complex system that helps repair damaged tissue in the body
References
Bean KV, Massey HD, Gupta G. Mediators of inflammation: complement. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 48.
Kumar V, Abbas AK, Aster JC. Inflammation and repair. In: Kumar V, Abbas AK, Aster JC, eds. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 3.
Taber's Medical Dictionary Online. Kinin. www.tabers.com/tabersonline/view/Tabers-Dictionary/741845/0/kinin?q=Kinins. Accessed May 3, 2021.
Review Date 5/3/2021
Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
