Desensitization of bradykinin-induced activation of peripheral nociceptors.

Bradykinin-induced activation of peripheral nociceptors has been studied in an isolated spinal cord/tail preparation from the neonatal rat. Prolonged administration of bradykinin consistently produced a selective desensitization which could be prevented by concanavalin A but not by succinyl concanavalin A or phenylarsine oxide. These data indicate that mannose-containing glycoproteins occur in or close to the bradykinin receptor site. In addition the desensitization observed under the present conditions, did not involve the internalization of bradykinin receptors.