Adenosine, theophylline and enprofylline induced concentration-dependent relaxations of guinea-pig isolated tracheal spirals whether they had intrinsic tone or were precontracted with carbachol or histamine. The potency order was enprofylline greater than theophylline greater than adenosine and the maximum relaxation in absolute terms was generally less for adenosine. The maximum relaxation (measured in absolute terms of change in tension) induced by the three spasmolytics in preparations with intrinsic tone was generally less than in precontracted tissues. This was attributed to the higher resting tone of precontracted tissues than the intrinsic tone. The adenosine transport inhibitor dipyridamole potentiated adenosine but not theophylline or enprofylline so that the potency order became adenosine greater than enprofylline greater than theophylline. Without dipyridamole, theophylline in a concentration producing 10-30% relaxation of the trachea, failed to antagonize adenosine. However, in the presence of dipyridamole, adenosine was antagonized, indicating that the relaxation by adenosine was mediated via an extracellular P1 receptor. Enprofylline, in a concentration producing equivalent direct effects, failed to antagonize adenosine. It is concluded that the tracheal relaxation by xanthines is independent of adenosine antagonism.