HOE 140 (D-Arg-[Hyp3,Thi5,D-Tic7,Oic8]bradykinin), a new B2 antagonist, was compared
to R-493 (D-Arg[Hyp3-D-Phe7,Leu8]bradykinin) with respect to inhibition of the responses
of seven isolated smooth muscle preparations to bradykinin. R-493 was found to exert:
(a) high antagonistic activity on the rabbit jugular vein (pA2 of 8.86), (b) moderate
activity on the rabbit aorta, guinea-pig ileum, hamster urinary bladder and human
urinary bladder (pA2 of 5.76, 6.77, 7.16 and 7.15, respectively) and (c) a stimulatory
effect on the guinea-pig trachea. On the other hand, HOE 140 showed identical apparent
affinities (8.36-9.12) on all preparations except the rabbit aorta where it was inactive
and the guinea-pig trachea where the compound was an antagonist (pA2: 7.42) without
agonistic effect. HOE 140 is specific and selective for B2 receptors since it was
inactive against angiotensin II, substance P, neurokinin A, desArg9-bradykinin, noradrenaline
or acetylcholine in the various preparations. R-493 inhibited the contractile effects
of bradykinin competitively, while HOE 140 was not competitive even at low concentrations
(7.7 x 10(-9) M). These results demonstrate that HOE 140 is a potent B2 antagonist
with high affinity, specific for kinin receptors and selective for the B2 receptor
type, but is non-competitive. HOE 140 is the first bradykinin receptor antagonist
that acts as such on the guinea-pig trachea without showing any agonistic activity.