The effect of bradykinin and its antagonist on survival time after coronary artery occlusion in hypertensive rats

Abstract It is known that BK does play a role in the cardioprotective effect of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. The present study therefore was conducted to examine the effects of bradykinin (BK) and its antagonist on survival time in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with coronary artery ligation for 15 min and continuously. We also evaluated the heart rate and blood pressure (BP) in the presence and absence of BK and BK 2 receptor antagonist, d -Arg-[Hyp- d -Phe 7 ]BK. Coronary artery was ligated in anaesthetized rats and they were artificially ventilated with room air (stroke volume, 4 ml; 48 strokes/min) as described by the previous investigators. Lead II elecrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded from subcutaneous steel needle electrodes. Results of this investigation indicated that BK treatment 4 μg/kg (i.v.) and 8 μg/kg (i.v.) caused significant ( P P >0.05). The heart rate and BP responses were greatly reduced ( P 2 receptors after coronary artery ligation.