Maximal decrease in heart rate (HR) induced by i.v. injection of endothelin (ET)-1 (0.01, 0.025, 0.05 or 0.1 nmol kg−1) (a), ET-1 (0.025 nmol kg−1) in the presence of BQ123 (1 or 2.5 mg kg−1) (b), ET-1 (0.01 or 0.025 nmol kg−1) in the presence of or BQ788 (0.25 mg kg−1)(c), IRL1620 (0.01, 0.1, 0.25 or 1.0 nmol kg−1) (d) in the anaesthetized rat. Each point represents the mean±s.e.mean of 5–6 independent experiments (*P<0.05 compared with control group; Student's t-test).