Bradykinin (BK) is known to induce diuresis (UV), natriuresis (UNaV), and increased renal blood flow (RPF) with little or no change in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In this study, BK is infused alone and concurrently with B1- or B2-kinin receptor antagonists into the left kidney of pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs. The intrarenal infusion of BK (bolus: 0.5 microgram/kg, followed by a sustaining dose: 0.05 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) affected left kidney function only. In the left kidney, UV increased from 0.42 +/- 0.21 to a maximum of 1.88 +/- 0.55 ml/min (P less than 0.01) and UNaV rose from 55 +/- 13 to 160 +/- 17 mueq/min (P less than 0.01), while RPF was enhanced from 86 +/- 11 to 125 +/- 24 ml/min (P less than 0.05), and GFR remained unchanged. When a B1-receptor antagonist ([Leu8]-des-Arg9-BK; 2.0 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) was infused concurrently with BK, the increase in urine flow was not different from BK alone. UNaV was transiently attenuated by 50% in this group (P less than 0.05). A B2-receptor antagonist (D-Arg0,[Hyp3,D-Phe7]-BK; 2.0 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) infused with BK significantly (P less than 0.05) and selectively inhibited by 50% the maximal diuresis provoked by BK alone. UNaV in this group was not different from that induced by BK alone. Finally, the concurrent infusion of either B1- or B2-antagonist completely inhibited the rise in RPF observed when BK was infused alone. We conclude that BK infused into the renal artery of dogs in vivo can alter UV and UNaV independently of global renal hemodynamic (RPF and GFR) changes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)