Kinins: Their nature and their potential role in the cardiovascular effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

The purpose of the present review dedicated to the kallikrein-kininogen-kinin system is to highlight the pathophysiological role of this complex system in kidney diseased patients. We will focus mainly on the nature of bradykinin and its active metabolite, des-Arg(9)-bradykinin. After the description of their properties, their metabolism and their receptors, we will show the recent evidence about the renal kallikrein-kinine system and its autocrin/paracrin role. This will allow to the nephrologist a better understanding of the role of these vasoactive peptides not only in the beneficial aspects, but also in the acute side-effects, of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.