Buffered solutions (pH 5-pH 8) of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), sodium nitroprusside (NaNP), S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), molsidomine and its active metabolite (SIN-1) at concentrations of 30 microM were each tested at 37 degrees C for the release of nitric oxide (NO) by its co-oxidation to NO3 along with oxidation of oxyhaemoglobin to methaemoglobin. Apart from GTN and molsidomine, three other stimulators of guanylate cyclase released NO in a pH-dependent manner. Optimum for the release of NO by SIN-1 was at pH 7.4 and therefore this guanylate cyclase stimulator was chosen for studies on interaction with the adenylate cyclase stimulator iloprost, a stable prostacyclin analogue. Human platelets, neutrophils and strips of coronary arteries were used as targets to study this interaction. SIN-1 and iloprost synergized in the inhibition of collagen-induced platelet aggregation and protection of neutrophils against the release of lactate dehydrogenase, whereas no synergism between these drugs was observed in their vasorelaxant action. It is concluded that pharmacological synergism between adenylate and guanylate cyclase stimulators is not a general rule, but occurs only in certain types of cells.