The objective of this study was to determine the effect of adenosine on overall myocardial substrate utilization and mechanical function in isolated working rat hearts. Hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing 11 mM glucose (no fat) or with 11 mM glucose and 0.4 mM palmitate (normal fat). Steady-state rates of glycolysis, glucose oxidation, and fatty acid oxidation were measured by determination of quantitative 3H2O and 14CO2 production from radiolabeled substrates. The ratio of glycolysis (6.07 +/- 0.57 mumol.min-1.g dry wt-1) to glucose oxidation (3.12 +/- 0.28 mumol.min-1.g dry wt-1) under no fat conditions was 2:1. The addition of palmitate per se decreased glucose oxidation (to 0.81 +/- 0.09 mumol.min-1.g dry wt-1) and increased the glycolysis-to-glucose oxidation ratio to 6:1. Adenosine (100 microM) reduced this ratio to 3:1 by decreasing glycolysis (to 3.75 +/- 0.32 mumol.min-1.g dry wt-1) and increasing glucose oxidation (to 1.28 +/- 0.18 mumol.min-1.g dry wt-1) in the presence of palmitate. Steady-state palmitate oxidation rates were not altered by adenosine. Adenosine increased efficiency (work performed per unit O2 consumed) of spontaneously beating hearts but had no effect in paced hearts. These effects of adenosine on glucose metabolism may explain the beneficial actions of adenosine during reperfusion post ischemia.