Captopril, an inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme, is also known to inhibit the degradation of bradykinin. We examined the effects of intracerebroventricular (ICV) captopril on the central pressor response to bradykinin in normotensive, 2-kidney, 1 clip Goldblatt (GHR) and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats. Captopril (1 mg) and bradykinin (5 nmol) were administered into the right lateral cerebral ventricle, and blood pressure and heart rate were continuously monitored throughout the experiment. ICV captopril alone did not affect the blood pressure within 10 minutes but it significantly augmented the central pressor response to bradykinin in GHR. On the contrary, captopril was without effect on the pressor response to bradykinin in normotensive and DOCA-salt rats. These findings indicate that endogenous kinins are not critical in regulating arterial pressure in normotensive and DOCA hypertensive rats. However, in GHR, an enhanced activity of the brain kallikrein-kinin system in maintaining the high blood pressure is suggested.