Induction of kinin B1 receptor-dependent vasoconstriction following balloon catheter injury to the rabbit carotid artery.

1. Balloon catheter injury to the rabbit carotid artery damaged the endothelium and induced neointima formation over 7 days. The area of intima, expressed as a percentage of the media, was 16.2 +/- 4.2% and 8.2 +/- 0.1% in balloon catheter-injured and sham-operated arteries. 2. Seven days after arterial injury, carotid arteries were isolated and set up as ring preparations in organ baths for isometric tension measurements. Balloon catheter-injured arteries first contracted with noradrenaline (0.01-0.1 microM), contracted further in a concentration-dependent manner to bradykinin (BK; pD2, 5.98 +/- 0.22; Emax, 41.3 +/- 5.2% of KCl) and to des-Arg9-BK (pD2, 7.12 +/- 0.36; Emax, 46.0 +/- 9.9% of KCl). In contrast, vessel segments with endothelium either intact or acutely removed were unresponsive to both BK receptor agonists. 3. The concentration-contraction curves for BK and for des-Arg9-BK were shifted to the right by the B1 receptor antagonist, [Leu8]des-Arg9-BK (3 microM), but not by the selective B2 receptor antagonist, Hoe 140 (1 microM). 4. Thus, BK and its metabolite, des-Arg9-BK act as vasoconstrictor agents following balloon catheter injury. These effects appear to be mediated by activation of B1 receptors.