Role of prostaglandins and the areas postrema in the central pressor action of bradykinin.

Vertebral and carotid artery infusions of bradykinin increased blood pressure and heart rate in anaesthetised greyhounds. Indomethacin pretreatment abolished the pressor response to vertebral infusion and reduced that to carotid infusion. Areas postrema ablation abolished the pressor response to bradykinin with both routes of administration. The tachycardia responses to cranial artery infusions and the entire cardiovascular response to intravenous infusion were unaffected by either treatment. It is concluded that intact areas postrema and normal prostaglandin synthesis are essential for the full expression of the central pressor action of bradykinin.