We previously reported that alpha-adrenoceptor (AR) stimulation of the isolated perfused rat heart increased the efflux of 42K+ and the K+ analogue 86Rb+. The main part of this increase was bumetanide sensitive, indicating an activation of the Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of angiotensin II (1-100 nmol/l) and the protein kinase C (PKC) activator PMA (phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, 1-1000 nmol/l) on 86Rb+ efflux from isolated rat hearts and to compare the effects with the effect of the alpha1- AR agonist phenylephrine (30 micromol/l) in the presence of a beta-AR antagonist. Phenylephrine increased the 86Rb+ efflux rate by 47+/-4.1% (n=5, p<0.001). Angiotensin II induced a maximal increase in 86Rb+ efflux rate of 13+/-1.6% (n=12, p<0.0001). The effect of angiotensin II was totally eliminated by bumetanide (50 micromol/l). PMA decreased the 86Rb+ efflux rate by 23+/-7.0 % (n=7, p=0.02) and this effect of PMA was not sensitive to bumetanide. Pre-treatment of the hearts with PMA for 30 min did not influence the response to phenylephrine. In conclusion, angiotensin II stimulation, but not PKC activation by PMA increased the 86Rb+ efflux rate in isolated rat hearts, but the effect was smaller than that of alpha1- AR stimulation. The effect of angiotensin II was completely abolished by bumetanide indicating an activation of the Na+/K+/2Cl- -cotransporter.