Role of Endogenous Bradykinin in Human Coronary Vasomotor Control

BACKGROUND: Bradykinin is a potent vasodilator that acts through B2 kinin receptors to stimulate the release of endothelium-derived nitric oxide, prostacyclin, and hyperpolarizing factor. In this study, we investigated the contribution of endogenous bradykinin to vasomotor control in the human coronary circulation. METHODS AND RESULTS: The selective bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist HOE 140 was infused into the left main coronary artery (200 micrograms/min for 15 minutes) in 15 patients without significant coronary stenoses. Epicardial responses were evaluated by quantitative coronary blood flow with a Doppler flow-velocity wire. Flow-dependent dilation (n = 10; intracoronary papaverine) and acetylcholine responses (n = 5) were assessed before and after HOE 140. After HOE 140, there was a reduction in luminal area in the proximal (P < .001), mid (P < .001), and distal (P < .05) coronary arteries. HOE 140 led to an increase in coronary vascular resistance (P < .001) and a decrease in coronary blood flow (P < .001). After bradykinin B2 receptor blockade, there was a reduction in flow-dependent dilation (23.4 +/- 6.9% to 3.9 +/- 6.0%, P < .001), the extent of which correlated with the degree of basal vasoconstriction after HOE 140 in the same vessel segment (P < .05). Acetylcholine responses were unchanged after HOE 140. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate for the first time a role for endogenous bradykinin in mediating normal vasomotor responses in resistance and epicardial coronary vessels under basal and flow-stimulated conditions in the human coronary circulation.