440 ALISKIREN REDUCES MYOCARDIAL INFARCT SIZE BY A BRADYKININ B2 RECEPTOR-MEDIATED MECHANISM WITHOUT REDUCTION IN BLOOD PRESSURE

Abstract

Background: We previously showed the renin inhibitor aliskiren increases cardiac levels of bradykinin, a cardioprotective peptide, independently of change in angiotensin levels. Aim: We investigated the effect of aliskiren on myocardial infarct size and the role of the bradykinin B2 receptor in the effect of aliskiren. Methods: Female Sprague Dawley rats aged 8 weeks were treated for 4 weeks with either vehicle, aliskiren (10 mg/kg/day sc), the angiotensin receptor antagonist valsartan (30 mg/kg/day orally) or their combination. The role of the B2 receptor was examined by co-administration of the B2 receptor antagonist icatibant (0.5 mg/kg/day sc). Myocardial infarction was elicited by 30 mi..