Figure 3.

Initial responsiveness of external jugular vein strips derived from control (saline vehicle i.v.), dextran sulphate-treated, LPS-treated or kinin antagonist-treated rabbits to an agonist of the B₂ receptor. Kinin antagonist treatment was combined with either saline or LPS injection. Treatments were in the form of intravenous injections 5 h prior to sacrifice. The cumulative concentration-effect curve of the B₂R agonist BK was established after a short in vitro incubation (60 min). Values (means±s.e.mean of eight determinations from four animals in each group) are expressed as a per cent of an internal contractile standard established in each tissue, the maximal effect of histamine. See Table 2 for statistical analysis.