The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of bradykinin on secretion of catecholamines (CA) evoked by stimulation of cholinergic receptors and membrane depolarization from the isolated perfused model of the rat adrenal glands, and to elucidate its mechanism of action. Bradykinin (3⁓108 M) alone produced a weak secretory response of the CA. however, the perfusion with bradykinin (3⁓108 M) into an adrenal vein of the rat adrenal gland for 90 min enhanced markedly the secretory responses of CA evoked by ACh (5.32⁓103 M), excess K (5.6⁓102 M, a membrane depolarizer), DMPP (104 M, a selective neuronal nicotinic agonist) and McN-A-343 (104 M, a selective M1-muscarinic agonist). Moreover, bradykinin (3⁓108 M) in to an adrenal vein for 90 min also augmented the CA release evoked by BAY-K-8644, an activator of the dihydropyridine L-type Ca2 channels. However, in the presence of (N-Methyl-D-Phe7)-bradykinin trifluoroacetate salt (3⁓108 M), an antagonist of BK2-bradykinin receptor, bradykinin no longer enhanced the CA secretion evoked by Ach and high potassium whereas the pretreatment with Lys-(des-Arg9, Leu8)-bradykinin trifluoroacetate salt (3⁓108 M), an antagonist of BK1-bradykinin receptor did fail to affect them. Furthermore, the perfusion with bradykinin (3⁓106 M) into an adrenal vein of the rabbit adrenal gland for 90 min enhanced markedly the secretory responses of CA evoked by excess K (5.6⁓102 M). Collectively, these experimental results suggest that bradykinin enhances the CA secretion from the rat adrenal medulla evoked by cholinergic stimulation (both nicotininc and muscarinic receptors) and membrane depolarization through the activation of B2-bradykinin receptors, not through B1-bradykinin receptors. This facilitatory effect of bradykinin seems to be associated to the increased Ca2 influx through the activation of the dihydropyridine L-type Ca2 channels.
