Involvement of nitric oxide and prostaglandin pathways in the cardioprotective actions of bradykinin in rats with experimental myocardial infarction.

Bradykinin is a potent endothelium-dependent vasodilator in the coronary vascular bed. Endothelial mediators released by bradykinin include nitric oxide, prostacyclin and as yet unidentified endothelium-derived hyperpolarising factors. We wished to determine the involvement of nitric oxide and prostaglandin pathways in the cardioprotective actions mediated by bradykinin via the combined inhibition of ACE and aminopeptidase P (APP) in an in vivo rat model of acute ischemia (30 min) and reperfusion (4h). Myocardial infarct size was measured by using the staining agent 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC). Lipid peroxide levels in serum and in heart tissue were estimated spectrophotometrically. A lead II electrocardiogram was monitored at various intervals throughout the experiment. Infarct size reduction obtained with the combined inhibition of enalapril and apstatin, lisinopril and apstatin was blocked partially but significantly with the prior administration of L-NAME (Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) or aspirin, suggesting the involvement of both nitric oxide and prostaglandin pathways in the cardioprotective actions mediated by bradykinin.