Bradykinin

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Bradykinin is a "nonapeptide messenger that is enzymatically produced from kallidin in the blood where it is a potent but short-lived agent of arteriolar dilation and increased capillary permeability. Bradykinin is also released from mast cells during asthma attacks, from gut walls as a gastrointestinal vasodilator, from damaged tissues as a pain signal, and may be a neurotransmitter.[1]

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors also decrease the degradation of bradykinin.[2] This may contribute to some patients having a cough when taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. According to a clinical prediction rule, cough due to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors is more likely among patients who are "older age, female gender, non-African American (with East Asian having highest risk), no history of previous angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use, and history of cough due to another angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor".[3]

There are two bradykinin receptors.

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