Studies on the involvement of bradykinin using enalapril and 2-mercaptoethanol in ischemia-reperfusion induced myocardial infarction in albino rats

The effects of bradykinin were evaluated using the ACE inhibitor enalapril and the APP inhibitor, 2-mercaptoethanol alone and in combination in rats with experimental myocardial infarction. Myocardial infarction was produced by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by 4 h of reperfusion. Infarct size was measured by the TTC stain method. Lipid peroxide levels in serum and heart tissue were estimated by the methods developed by Yagi and Ohkawa et al., respectively. A lead II electrocardiogram was monitored throughout the experiment. With the combined inhibition of both the enzymes ACE and APP, a better cardioprotection was observed when compared to individual inhibition of the enzymes, suggesting the involvement of bradykinin during experimental myocardial infarction.