1. The mechanisms underlying bradykinin (BK)-mediated contractions in strips of guinea-pig gallbladder (GPG) were examined by use of selective bradykinin (BK) receptor agonists and antagonists. 2. Addition of BK and related kinins (0.1 pM-10 microM) after 2 h of equilibration of the preparation caused graded contractions characterized by two distinct phases: high affinity (0.1 pM-1 nM) and low affinity (3 nM-10 microM). The rank order of potency for the first phase (mean EC50, pM) was: BK (1.36) = Hyp3-BK (1.44) = Lys-BK (1.54) > Tyr8-BK (2.72) > Met-Lys-BK (4.30). The rank order of potency for the second phase (mean EC50, nM, at concentration producing 50% of the contraction caused by 80 mM KCl) was: Hyp3-BK (8.95) > Met-Lys-BK (12.78) > Tyr8-BK (33.75) > Lys-BK caused by 80 mM KCl) was: Hyp3-BK (8.95) > Met-Lys-BK (12.78) > Tyr8-BK (33.75) > Lys-BK (60.92) > BK (77.35). The contractile responses (g of tension) to 3 microM of BK (the highest concentration tested) were: Hyp3-BK, 1.76 +/- 0.09; BK, 1.65 +/- 0.12; Lys-BK, 1.45 +/- 0.13; Tyr8-BK, 1.36 +/- 0.15 and Met-Lys-BK, 1.36 +/- 0.15. The selective B1 agonist, des-Arg9-BK, caused only a weak contraction with maximal response (0.21 +/- 0.05 g), which corresponded to approximately 10% of that induced by BK.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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