The effects of bradykinin and the ischemic isolated rat heart.

The converting enzyme not only converts angiotensin I into angiotensin II but also metabolizes bradykinin. Furthermore, the effects of ischemia on myocardial tissue damage can be modulated by converting enzyme inhibitors. It is unknown whether these effects of ACE-inhibitors are due to increased bradykinin production. In this paper we describe the effects of captopril on bradykinin production in the ischemic isolated rat heart. The reduced deleterious effects of ischemia by captopril were associated with a stimulated bradykinin production. Beneficial effects of bradykinin could be due to an improved perfusion or to an effect on cellular metabolism. Therefore, we conclude that this effect on kinins by ACE-inhibitors is of importance in modulating tissue damage during ischemia.