Adenosine can mediate the tubuloglomerular (TGF) response via activation of A1 receptors on the afferent arteriole, but both adenosine A1 and A2 receptors can regulate preglomerular resistance. We tested the hypothesis that adenosine A2 receptors offset the effect of A1 receptors and modulate the TGF. Maximal TGF responses were measured in male Sprague-Dawley rats as changes in proximal stop-flow pressure (ΔPSF) in response to increased perfusion of the loop of Henle (0 to 40 nl/min) with artificial tubular fluid (ATF). The maximal TGF response was studied after 5 min of intratubular perfusion (10 nl/min) with ATF alone, or with ATF plus the A2A receptor antagonist (ZM-241385; 10−7 or 10−5 mol/l), A1 receptor antagonist (PSB-36; 10−8 mol/l), or with a combination of A1 (PSB-36; 10−8 mol/l) and A2A (ZM-241385; 10−7 mol/l) antagonists. The maximal TGF response (ΔPSF) with ATF alone was 11.7 ± 1.0 mmHg. Specific A2 inhibition (low dose) enhanced the maximal TGF response (15.7 ± 0.8 mmHg; P < 0.01), whereas a high dose (unspecific inhibition) attenuated the response (5.0 ± 0.4 mmHg; P < 0.001). A1 inhibition alone led to a paradoxical TGF response, with an increase in PSF of 3.1 ± 0.5 mmHg ( P < 0.05). Simultaneous application of A1 and A2 antagonists abolished the TGF response (ΔPSF: 0.4 ± 0.3 mmHg). In conclusion, adenosine A2 receptors modulate the TGF response by counteracting the effects of adenosine A1 receptors.