Effect of Bradykinin-Receptor Blockade on the Response to Angiotensin-Converting–Enzyme Inhibitor in Normotensive and Hypertensive Subjects

Abstract

Angiotensin-converting–enzyme (ACE) inhibitors not only decrease the production of angiotensin II but also decrease the degradation of bradykinin. In this study, a specific bradykinin-receptor antagonist, icatibant acetate (HOE 140), was used to determine the contribution of bradykinin to the short-term effects of ACE inhibition on blood pressure and plasma renin activity in both normotensive and hypertensive subjects.