Studies of the plasma kinin-forming system in cirrhosis of the liver.
Kininogen level, that of active kinins and kininase activity in the plasma of patients suffering from cirrhosis of the liver and of healthy people were studied. The kininogen content was determined by different available methods i.e. the trypsin and acetone techniques and by means of the plasma and glandular kallikrein preparation. An increase in kininase activity and a lowered kininogen level as determined by all the methods were found in the sick persons. The maximal decrease in the kininogen level determined by means of the plasma kallikreins is substantiated in connection with the increased fibrinolytic activity of the plasma of the patients with hepatic cirrhosis.