bradykinin

noun

bra·​dy·​ki·​nin ˌbrā-di-ˈkī-nən How to pronounce bradykinin (audio)
: a kinin that is formed locally in injured tissue, acts in vasodilation of small arterioles, is considered to play a part in inflammatory processes, and is composed of a chain of nine amino acid residues

Examples of bradykinin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Drugs can help prevent these attacks by blocking a protein, kallikrein, that ramps up bradykinin levels—this essentially counteracts the effects of the loss of C1-esterase inhibitor. Byjocelyn Kaiser, science.org, 16 Sep. 2022 That disease results from mutations that disable a protein called C1-esterase inhibitor that’s part of a signaling pathway controlling levels of bradykinin, a peptide hormone that causes blood vessels to leak fluid. Byjocelyn Kaiser, science.org, 16 Sep. 2022 In people with hereditary angioedema, stress, illness, or trauma can trigger high blood levels of bradykinin, producing severe swelling of limbs, the abdomen, or even the throat, which can suffocate a person. Byjocelyn Kaiser, science.org, 16 Sep. 2022 Dysregulation of the bradykinin system can cause blood vessels to essentially leak—which could explain why doctors were seeing patients with so much fluid in their lungs. Doug Strickland, Popular Mechanics, 6 Sep. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bradykinin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bradykinin was in 1949

Dictionary Entries Near bradykinin

Cite this Entry

“Bradykinin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bradykinin. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

bradykinin

noun
bra·​dy·​ki·​nin -ˈkī-nən How to pronounce bradykinin (audio)
: a kinin that is formed locally in injured tissue, acts in vasodilation of small arterioles, is considered to play a part in inflammatory processes, and is composed of a chain of nine amino acid residues see kallidin

More from Merriam-Webster on bradykinin

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!