Adenosine is known for its modulatory effects on gastric secretory function and mucosal blood flow in rats. However, its action on gastric motility has not been defined. The influence of adenosine on gastric contractions provoked by cholinergic drugs and direct vagal stimulation have, therefore, been examined. Bethanechol (25, 50 or 100 micrograms/kg i.v.) and electrical vagal stimulation dose and voltage dependently increased the number and the amplitude of gastric contractions. An adenosine-A1-receptor agonist, L-phenylisopropyladenosine (10 or 50 micrograms/kg s.c.), given 30 min beforehand, did not affect the changes in gastric parameters but decreased the basal mean blood pressure and lessened the reduction in blood pressure evoked by bethanechol. The adenosine-A2-receptor agonist N-ethylcarboxaminoadenosine (1 or 5 micrograms/kg s.c.), 30 min beforehand, however, significantly increased the number but not the force of gastric contractions; a lower dose of this drug increased the basal blood pressure and potentiated the depressive action of bethanechol on systemic blood pressure. Adenosine administration (7.5 mg/kg s.c.) significantly increased its plasma levels at 30 and 60 min after injection; pretreatment with it (2.5, 7.5 or 12.5 mg/kg s.c.), 30 min beforehand, did not affect the gastric and vascular actions of bethanechol. The highest dose of adenosine potentiated the contractile response of vagal stimulation. In the isolated fundus preparation, adenosine added to the organ bath (10(-6), 10(-4), 10(-2) M) also did not affect the contractions induced by acetylcholine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)