Pro-inflammatory properties of the kallikrein-kinin system: potential for new drug therapy.

Components of the kallikrein-kinin system are activated in response to noxious stimuli (chemical, physical or bacterial), which may lead to excessive release of kinins in the synovial joints that may produce inflammatory joint disease. The inflammatory changes observed in synovial tissue may be due to activation of B(2) receptors. Kinins also stimulate the synthesis of other pro-inflammatory agents (PGs, LTs, histamine, EDRF, PGI(2) and PAF) in the inflamed joint. B(2)-receptor antagonists may provide valuable agents as new analgesic drugs. Furthermore, it is suggested that substances to reduce activation of the kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) may provide a pharmacological basis for the synthesis of novel antirheumatic or anti-inflammatory drugs.