Bradykinin and related peptides in central control of the cardiovascular system.

The evidence for a brain kallikrein-kinin system and for the possible role for kinins in brain control of the cardiovascular system are reviewed. All components of the kallikrein-kinin system are present in brain and kinins have a variety of cardiovascular actions of central origin following peripheral, intracerebroventricular or brain parenchymal administration. How components of the brain kallikrein-kinin system are regulated or even whether they function as a system remains to be established. However, bradykinin does fulfill several of the criteria necessary for establishing a substance as a neurotransmitter and these are discussed.