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Science 2 September 1966:
Vol. 153. no. 3740, pp. 1135 - 1138
DOI: 10.1126/science.153.3740.1135
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Articles

Plasma Kinins and Cortisol: A Possible Explanation of the Anti-Inflammatory Action of Cortisol

Martin J. Cline 1 and Kenneth L. Melmon 2

1 Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco Medical Center
2 Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, and Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco 94122

Kinins are naturally occurring vasoactive polypeptides thought to be mediators of acute inflammatory responses. Kinins are released from a plasma protein substrate by glass-activated plasma enzymes (kallikreins) or by isolated intact granulocytes. Cortisol in concentrations of 2.5 x 10-6 to 2.5 x 10-5M prevented the release of active kinin from substrate by granulocytes or contact with glass. Deoxycorticosterone, progesterone, and etiocholanolone in comparable concentrations were significantly less effective in preventing kinin release. Plasma obtained from patients receiving prednisone released no kinin after activation by glass and less kinin than control plasma when exposed to granulocytes. Cortisol also partially inhibited the release of kinin by purified urinary kallikrein. Certain adrenocorticosteroids may exert their anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the release of plasma kinins. Steroids may act in part by preventing interaction between the activated kallikrein and its substrate.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Glucocorticosteroid Therapy: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Considerations.
A. S. FAUCI, D. C. DALE, and J. E. BALOW (1976)
Ann Intern Med 84, 304-315
   Abstract »    PDF »
BLOOD KININS.
(1968)
JAMA 205, 174
   Abstract »    PDF »
A Concept of Otolaryngologic Allergy.
D. A. Dolowitz, H. C. Hecker, and B. W. Keller (1967)
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 86, 568-578
   Abstract »    PDF »


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)