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(Hypertension. 2001;37:121.)
© 2001 American Heart Association, Inc.

Scientific Contributions

Effect of Chronic Blockade of the Kallikrein-Kinin System on the Development of Hypertension in Rats

Nour-Eddine Rhaleb; Xiao-Ping Yang; Masahiko Nanba; Edward G. Shesely; Oscar A. Carretero

From the Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Mich.

Correspondence to Oscar A. Carretero, MD, Education and Research, Suite 7123, Henry Ford Hospital, Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, 2799 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48202-2689. E-mail ocarretero{at}hfhs.org

Abstract—The kallikrein-kininogen-kinin system is an important vasodilator and vasodepressor component of the cardiovascular system. Acting mainly through B₂ receptors, kinins may counterbalance the pressor effect of angiotensin II, salt, and mineralocorticoids plus salt. Using rats lacking the bradykinin precursors low- and high-molecular-weight kininogen or a B₂ kinin receptor antagonist (icatibant), we investigated whether absence or blockade of the kallikrein-kinin system alters blood pressure (BP) in rats given (1) chronic infusion of Ang II, (2) a normal or high salt diet, or (3) chronic administration of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) plus salt. We confirmed the genotype and phenotype of Brown Norway Katholiek rats (BNK) and found that they had a G-to-A point mutation on the kininogen gene compared with Brown Norway (BN) and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, very low levels of high-molecular-weight kininogen (17±3 ng/mL) compared with BN and SD (1814±253 and 2397±302 ng/mL, respectively; P<0.01), and plasma low-molecular-weight kininogen concentrations below detectable limits compared with 1773±74 and 1781±140 ng/mL for BN and SD, respectively. Basal BP was the same in BNK and BN. Chronic infusion of icatibant did not alter BP in BN or Wistar rats. At doses that blocked the acute effect of bradykinin, icatibant did not potentiate the pressor effect of a chronic subpressor or pressor dose of angiotensin II in male and female Wistar rats nor that of a high salt diet (2%) plus unilateral nephrectomy in male Wistar rats. Moreover, blockade of the kallikrein-kininogen-kinin system in either BN rats given a very high dose of icatibant or kinin-deficient rats (BNK) did not potentiate the pressor effect of angiotensin II (nonpressor dose) or a high salt (3% NaCl) diet given for 2 weeks. Established DOCA-salt hypertension was not exaggerated in rats treated with icatibant but was partially attenuated by ramipril (1.5 mg · kg^-1 · d^-1 for 7 days; P<0.002). This antihypertensive effect was abolished by icatibant (P<0.002, ramipril versus ramipril plus icatibant). These results suggest that endogenous kinins do not participate in the maintenance of normal blood pressure or antagonize the development of hypertension induced by chronic infusion of angiotensin II, a high salt diet, or DOCA-salt. However, kinins appear to play an important role in the antihypertensive effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in DOCA-salt hypertension.

Key Words: kinins • receptors, B₂ • angiotensin II • sodium • deoxycorticosterone acetate • hypertension, experimental • rats, Brown Norway Katholiek

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