Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 24, 2026

Rat Model of Blood-brain Barrier Disruption to Allow Targeted Neurovascular Therapeutics
Published on: November 30, 2012
Bradykinin for the treatment of cardiovascular disease
S A Palkhiwala1, W H Frishman, S Warshafsky
1Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
Insights
Bradykinin, a vasoactive kinin, is elevated in cardiac diseases and may offer protection. Further research into bradykinin augmentation could lead to new cardiovascular disease treatments.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Bradykinin is a vasoactive kinin with diverse biological roles.
- Elevated bradykinin levels are observed in various cardiac diseases.
- These elevated levels are hypothesized to confer a protective effect in cardiovascular conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential therapeutic role of bradykinin in cardiovascular disorders.
- To investigate bradykinin augmentation as a novel treatment strategy for heart disease.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on bradykinin and cardiovascular disease.
- Analysis of preliminary data on bradykinin's effects in cardiovascular models.
Main Results:
- Preliminary evidence suggests bradykinin possesses beneficial effects across a range of cardiovascular disorders.
- Elevated bradykinin levels correlate with protective mechanisms in cardiac disease.
Conclusions:
- Bradykinin augmentation presents a promising therapeutic target for cardiovascular disease.
- Further investigation is warranted to fully elucidate bradykinin's role and therapeutic potential.
Abstract:
Bradykinin is a vasoactive kinin known to be involved in many biologic processes. Levels of bradykinin have been shown to be elevated in a number of cardiac diseases. It is thought that these elevated levels play a protective role in cardiovascular diseases. Preliminary studies have demonstrated that bradykinin may have beneficial effects on a wide spectrum of cardiovascular disorders. Though much study is still required, bradykinin augmentation represents an exciting new target for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Related Concept Videos
Adrenergic Antagonists: Pharmacological Actions of β-Receptor Blockers
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers
TKIs, such as imatinib (Gleevec), are particularly effective in tackling the growth and mitogenic factors that become upregulated in PAH patients. These factors contribute to the...

