Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition After Experimental Myocardial Infarct: Role of the Kinin B 1 and B 2 Receptors

We sought to define the contribution of each of the 2 kinin receptors (bradykinin 1 receptor [B 1 R] and bradykinin 2 receptor [B 2 R]) to the cardioprotection of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition after acute myocardial infarct. Wild-type mice and gene knockout mice missing either B 1 R or B 2 R were submitted to coronary ligation with or without concurrent ACE inhibition and had evaluation of left ventricular systolic capacity by assessment of fractional shortening (FS). Baseline FS was similar in all of the animals and remained unchanged in sham-operated ones. At 3 weeks after myocardial infarct, in the wild-type group there was a 27% reduction of FS ( P