Adenosine is known to be a potent inhibitor of renin release from the kidneys. The aim of this study was to investigate the transmembrane signalling avenue that the second messenger of adenosine causes inhibition of renal renin release. Using short term cultures of juxtaglomerular cells isolated from rat kidneys, we found that adenosine inhibited spontaneous renin release from these cells up to 40% of control, in a dose dependent fashion between 10(-10) M to 10(-6) M. Half maximal inhibition was observed at 2 X 10(-8) M adenosine. The inhibitory effect of adenosine on renin release could be mimicked by the A1-receptor agonist N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA) and could be attenuated by the A-receptor antagonist theophylline (5 X 10(-5) M). The A2-receptor agonist 5'-N-ethylcarboxamideadenosine (NECA) had no inhibitory effect on renin release. These findings indicate that the inhibitory effect of adenosine is mediated by A1-receptors on juxtaglomerular cells. Adenosine had no effect on either transmembrane calcium influx or the cytosolic free calcium concentration in the isolated juxtaglomerular cells. Adenosine also did not alter the cellular level of cyclic AMP in the concentration range employed. However, adenosine led to a dose dependent increase of the cellular level of cyclic GMP. Half maximal increase of cGMP was observed at 10(-8) M adenosine. The effect of adenosine on cyclic GMP could be mimicked by the A1-receptor agonist CHA and could be attenuated by the A-receptor antagonist, theophylline.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)