THE EFFECTS OF BRADYKININ ON AFFERENT UNITS IN INTRAABDOMINAL SYMPATHETIC NERVE TRUNKS

Abstract

The effects of intra-arterial (i.a.) injections of bradykinin on afferent discharges in the splanchnic and hypogastric nerves were studied in cats. All units which were excited by the peptide were mechano-sensitive. Following i.a. bradykinin, the slowly adapting mechanoreceptors associated with the bladder showed increased discharge rates which appeared to be related to changes in intravesical pressure. When the effects of bradykinin on the bladder were blocked by cord cooling, the afferents were not excited. Bradykinin caused discharges in the slowly adapting mechanoreceptors around the bladder because it caused bladder contractions and not because of any chemosensitivity of the nerve ending.