Adenosine, an important regulator of many cardiac functions, is produced by ectosolic and cytosolic 5 '-nucleotidase. The activity of these enzymes is influenced by several ischemia-sensitive metabolic factors, e.g., ATP, ADP, H+, and inorganic phosphate. However, there is no clear evidence that adenosine itself affects 5'-nucleotidase activity. This study tested whether adenosine decreases the activity of ectosolic and cytosolic 5 '-nucleotidase. Cardiomyocytes were isolated from adult male Wistar rats and suspended in the modified Hepes-Tyrode buffer solution. After stabilization, isolated cardiomyocytes were incubated with and without adenosine (10-9-i0-' M). .05] at 10-6 M adenosine) after 30 min. The decrease in ectosolic and cytosolic 5 '-nucleotidase activity was inhibited by 8-phenyltheophylline and pertussis toxin, and was mimicked by N6-cyclohexyladenosine, an adenosine Al receptor agonist. Neither CGS21680C, and A2 receptor agonist, nor cycloheximide deactivated ectosolic and cytosolic 5 '-nucleotidase. Thus, we conclude that activation of adenosine A1 receptors is coupled to G; proteins and attenuates ectosolic and cytosolic 5 '-nucleotidase activity in rat cardiomyocytes.