Effects of bradykinin on intestinal transcapillary fluid exchange

Bradykinin (50 micrograms.L-1) increases intestinal lymph flow sixfold when infused intraarterially into the cat ileum. The capillary filtration coefficient and capillary pressure increase and interstitial fluid pressure rises from negative to positive values. A slight increase in lymph:plasma protein concentration occurs with a resulting fall in the transcapillary oncotic pressure gradient. These results indicate that the effect of bradykinin on intestinal lymph flow is attributable, at least in part, to increased capillary pressure, exchange vessel surface area, and a reduction in the effective transcapillary oncotic pressure gradient.