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Kinin

One of a number of widely differing substances having pronounced and dramatic physiological effects. Some (e.g., kallidin and bradykinin) are polypeptides, formed in blood by proteolysis secondary to some pathological process, that stimulate visceral smooth muscle but relax vascular smooth muscle, thus producing vasodilation; others (e.g., kinetin) are plant growth regulators.

Origin: g. Kineo, to move, _ -in