[Bradykinin stimulates prolactin release in vitro].

Bradykinin (BK) is a nonpeptide, originally discovered in blood; recently BK has been localized in neurons and fibers of the hypothalamus. BK is a vasoactive substance which is involved in pain, inflammation and oedema. The present study demonstrates that BK is also a potent stimulator of prolactin (PRL) release from anterior pituitary cells in vitro. A significant enhancement of the release of PRL is observed at 1 nM BK. The stimulation of PRL release by BK is dose-dependent. This work shows that anterior pituitary cells in culture may serve as a useful model system in which to study the mechanism of action of BK.