The present study was designed to assess in conscious normotensive rats the influence of various pressor agents on the acute blood pressure response to a bradykinin antagonist (B4162). This antagonist was used at a dose (400 micrograms i.v.) which had been previously shown to block the blood pressure lowering effect of exogenous bradykinin for several minutes. In control rats, the bradykinin antagonist had no effect on blood pressure. However, in rats pretreated with nonpressor doses of angiotensin II or methoxamine or with pressor doses of vasopressin or methoxamine, the same antagonist significantly increased blood pressure by 10 +/- 2.2, 12 +/- 2.7, 9 +/- 1.7, and 16 +/- 3.4 mm Hg, respectively. It therefore appears that circulating bradykinin is not directly involved in blood pressure regulation of conscious normotensive rats. Endogenous bradykinin may however play an important role in blood pressure control by attenuating the pressor effect of angiotensin II, vasopressin, and alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation.