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Medical Definition of Kallikrein-kinin system
1. A system produced in the distal nephron of the kidney. Its components are kallikrein, kinins, kininase I and II, and enkephalinase. It is involved in mediation and modulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, prostaglandins, vasopressins, and in the regulation of sodium-water balance, renal haemodynamics, and particularly blood pressure. The system participates in the control of renal functions and the physiopathology of renal diseases. (12 Dec 1998)