title: The kallikrein-kinin system and oxidative stress.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) constitutes a complex multienzyme cascade that produces several bioactive kinin peptides and their derivatives including bradykinin. In addition to the classical notion of the KKS as a potent vasodilator and a mediator of inflammatory responses, recent studies suggest a link between the KKS and oxidative stress. A number of established mouse models with altered levels of KKS components opened the way to evaluate precise functions of the KKS. Here we review recent findings on the role of the KKS in cardiovascular diseases and chronic kidney diseases, and discuss potential benefits of KKS activation in these diseases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Deletion of both B1R and B2R in a diabetic mouse model exacerbates its renal phenotypes, suggesting that the KKS exerts protective effects on diabetic nephropathy by suppressing oxidative stress, presumably via nitric oxide and prostaglandins.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Accumulating evidence has highlighted the importance of the KKS as a protective system against oxidative stress and organ damage in the heart and kidney. The activation of the KKS by angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitors and vasopeptidase inhibitors is likely to be beneficial in senescence-associated cardiovascular diseases and chronic kidney diseases.
authors: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7525, USA.
authors: Yukako
authors: Y
authors: Kayashima
authors: Oliver
authors: O
authors: Smithies
authors: Masao
authors: M
authors: Kakoki
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006801:Humans; D016234:Kallikrein-Kinin System / Q000187:drug effects; D007610:Kallikreins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D007705:Kinins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000378:metabolism; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism; D018002:Receptors, Bradykinin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D007705:Kinins; D011453:Prostaglandins; D018002:Receptors, Bradykinin; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; D007610:Kallikreins