A comparative study of kinin, kallidin, and bradykinin.

Partially purified kinin, a polypeptide in wasp venom, has been found to be a potent smooth-muscle stimulating and hypotensive agent. Such a preparation was 10 to 100 times more effective than histamine in enhancing capillary permeability on intradermal injection, and 10 times more effective than acetylcholine in evoking pain on a cutaneous blister base. Some differences between the actions of salivary kallikrein and trypsin in releasing kallidin or bradykinin have been observed, and some modifications of previous methods of preparing crude kallidin and bradykinin are suggested. Kallidin and bradykinin are effective enhancers of capillary permeability in the guinea-pig and rabbit. Chemical and pharmacological tests failed to differentiate between kallidin and bradykinin which must be, therefore, closely similar compounds. The possible role of kallidin and bradykinin in physiological or pathological conditions is discussed.