Bradykinin is a mediator of inflammation, responsible for pain, vasodilation, and capillary permeability. Bradykinin receptor 1 (B1R) and bradykinin receptor 2 (B2R) are G-protein coupled receptors which mediate kinin effects. The latter is constitutive and rapidly desensitized; the former is induced by inflammatory cytokines and resistant to densensitization. The distribution of bradykinin receptors in human intestinal tissue was studied in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - namely, ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Both B2R and B1R proteins are expressed in the epithelial cells of normal and IBD intestines. B1R protein is visualized in macrophages at the center of granulomas in CD. B2R protein is normally present in the apices of enterocytes in the basal area and intracellularly in inflammatory tissue. In contrast, B1R protein is found in the basal area of enterocytes in normal intestine, but in the apical portion of enterocytes in inflamed tissue. B1R protein is significantly increased in both active UC and CD intestines compared to controls. In patients with active UC, B1R mRNA is significantly higher than B2R mRNA. However, in inactive UC patients, the B1R and B2R mRNA did not differ significantly. Thus, bradykinin receptors in IBD may reflect intestinal inflammation. Increased B1R gene and protein expression in active IBD provides a structural basis of the important role of bradykinin in chronic inflammation.