Stimulatory effect of bradykinin (BK) on glucagon secretion from the perfused rat pancreas: involvement of BK2 receptors.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study is to investigate the direct effect of bradykinin (BK), a potent vasoactive nonapeptide, on glucagon secretion from the perfused rat pancreas. BK (0.1, 1, and 10 micromol/L) increased glucagon secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. HOE 140, a BK2 receptor antagonist (0.01, 0.1, and 1 nmol/L), prevented the stimulatory effect of BK on glucagon secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, des-Arg9,Leu8-BK, a BK1 receptor antagonist (1 nmol/L), failed to antagonize the effect of BK. Thus, BK stimulates glucagon secretion from the perfused rat pancreas by activating BK2 receptors, but not BK1 receptors.