This study examined interactions between adenosine (Ado) and angiotensin II (ANG II) in controlling renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In six normal dogs, intrarenal Ado infusion (1.0 mumol/min) transiently decreased RBF, but during sustained Ado infusion RBF increased to 122 +/- 7% of control, although GFR remained at 75 +/- 6% of control. Blockade of ANG II formation with the converting enzyme inhibitor SQ 14225 (n = 6) almost abolished the transient decrease in RBF but did not prevent the sustained fall in GFR caused by Ado. When circulating ANG II was held constant by intravenous infusion of SQ 14225 and 20 ng . kg-1 . min-1 of ANG II (n = 6), Ado transiently decreased RBF but the return of RBF was much slower than in normal dogs and RBF did not increase above control. Maintenance of constant circulating ANG II did not prevent Ado-mediated decreases in GFR. These observations suggest that Ado-mediated reductions in GFR do not depend entirely on ANG II and may be due to dilation of efferent arterioles by Ado. However, the transient renal vasoconstriction caused by Ado depends on ANG II, and data from this study suggest that part of the waning constrictor response to Ado is due to suppression of renin secretion and endogenous ANG II formation. In circumstances where high ANG II levels are maintained (i.e., ischemic renal failure), Ado may be capable of causing sustained renal vasoconstriction.