1 Diadenosine polyphosphates (P 1 ,P 3 -diadenosine triphosphate, Ap 3 A; P 1 ,P 4 -diadenosine tetraphosphate, Ap 4 A; and P 1 ,P 5 -diadenosine pentaphosphate, Ap 5 A) are vasoactive molecules. The experimental model of isolated rat renal glomeruli was used to investigate their effects on glomerular vasculature. We measured the changes of glomerular inulin space (GIS) as a marker of glomeruli contractility. 2 Ap 4 A and Ap 5 A induced concentration-and time-dependent reduction of GIS whereas Ap 3 A had no effect. The effects of Ap 4 A and Ap 5 A (both at 1 mM) were prevented by a nonselective P2 receptor antagonist, that is, suramin (10 mM) and P2Y receptor antagonist -reactive blue 2 (50 mM). However, the antagonist of P1 receptor, that is, theophylline (1 mM) and A 1 receptor 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX; 10 mM) did not affect the responses of glomeruli to Ap 4 A or Ap 5 A. 3 Ap 3 A, in contrast to Ap 4 A and Ap 5 A, prevented angiotensin II-induced reduction of GIS in a concentration-and time-dependent manner. This effect was partially prevented by suramin and markedly reduced by reactive blue 2 and the specific antagonist of P2Y 1 receptor -MRS 2179 (10 mM). However, theophylline and the specific antagonist of A 2 receptor -3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (DMPX; 10 mM) -did not affect Ap 3 A action. Abbreviations: Ap n As, diadenosine polyphosphates; Ap 3 A, P 1 ,P 3 -diadenosine triphosphate; Ap 4 A, P 1 ,P 4 -diadenosine tetraphosphate; Ap 5 A, P 1 ,P 5 -diadenosine pentaphosphate; DMPX, 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine; DPCPX, 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine; GIS, glomerular inulin space; MRS 2179, 2 0 -deoxy-N 6 -methyl adenosine 3 0 5 0 -diphosphate diammonium salt; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline