BACKGROUNDBradykinin (BK) acts mainly on two receptor subtypes: B(1) and B(2), and activation of B(2) receptor mediates the most well-known cardioprotective effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi), however, the role that B(1) receptor plays in ACEi has not been fully defined. We examined the role of B(1) receptor in the inhibitory effect of ACE inhibitor captopril on rat cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and cardiac fibroblast proliferation induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) and explored its possible mechanism.

METHODSNeonatal cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) were randomly treated with Ang II, captopril, B(2) receptor antagonist (HOE-140) and B(1) receptor antagonist (des-Arg(10), Leu(9)-kallidin) alone or in combination. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate cell cycle, size and protein content. Nitric oxide (NO) and intracellular cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) level were measured by colorimetry and radioimmunoassay.

RESULTSAfter the CFs and cardiomyocytes were incubated with 0.1 micromol/L Ang II for 48 hours, the percentage of CFs in the S stage, cardiomyocytes size and protein content significantly increased (both P < 0.01 vs control), and these increases were inhibited by 10 micromol/L captopril. However, NO and cGMP levels were significantly higher than that with Ang II alone (both P < 0.01). 1 micromol/L HOE-140 or 0.1 micromol/L des-Arg(10), Leu(9)-kallidin attenuated the effects of captopril, which was blunted further by blockade of both B(1) and B(2) receptors.

CONCLUSIONSActing via B(2) receptor, BK contributes to the antihypertrophic and antiproliferative effects of captopril on cardiomyocytes and CFs. In the absence of B(2) receptor, B(1) receptor may act a compensatory mechanism for the B(2) receptor and contribute to the inhibition of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and CFs proliferation by captopril. NO and cGMP play an important role in the effect of B(1) receptor.