Abstract
The plasma levels of bradykinin-like immunoreactivity (BK-LI), high molecular weight kininogen, and prekallikrein, major components of the kallikrein-kinin system, were examined in adult male Wistar rats with dimethylnitrosamine-induced cirrhosis. In addition, the cold pressor test was used to investigate the effect of pain on the plasma BK-LI level. After exposure to cold (4°C for 15 min), the plasma BK-LI level rose strikingly in healthy control rats. However, the cirrhotic rats showed lower plasma BK-LI, high molecular weight kininogen, and prekallikrein levels than the controls both before and after the cold pressor test, and the BK-LI level remained below the detection limit during the test. These results indicate that the responsivenes of the kallikrein-kinin system is impaired in cirrhosis and that the cold pressor test is useful for the evaluation of bradykinin responses.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
