The aim of this study was to assess whether the cardioprotective effect of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on endothelial function in resistance coronary arteries of the rat involves adenosine and/or activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels (KATP channels). Isolated rat hearts perfused under constant-flow conditions were exposed to 30 min of partial ischemia (flow rate 1 ml/min) followed by 20 min of reperfusion. Preconditioning was performed with 5 min of ischemia and 10 min of reperfusion before the 30-min ischemia. After the 20-min reperfusion period, coronary arteries were precontracted with U-46619 (0.1 microM), and the coronary response to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator serotonin (5-HT; 10 microM) was compared with that of the endothelium-independent vasodilator sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 3 microM). KATP channels or adenosine receptors were blocked with perfusion of either glibenclamide (0.3 microM) or 8-phenyltheophylline (8-PT; 5 microM), respectively, starting 15 min before IPC or a corresponding sham period. In untreated hearts, ischemia selectively diminished 5-HT-induced vasodilation, compared with sham hearts (without ischemia). The vasodilation by SNP was unaffected after ischemia and reperfusion. Preconditioning in untreated hearts preserved the vasodilation produced by 5-HT. Treatment of hearts with either glibenclamide or 8-PT halved the vasodilation produced by both 5-HT and SNP in sham hearts. Glibenclamide reduced by one-half, whereas 8-PT completely blocked, the protective effect of IPC on endothelium-dependent vasodilation. These results suggest that IPC affords protection to endothelial function in resistance coronary arteries of the rat partially by activation of KATP channels. Adenosine plays a major role in that protection.