To determine the relationship between hydrochlorothiazide-induced diuretic action and cyclic nucleotides, the effects of hydrochlorothiazide (5 mg/kg, i.v.) on the renal tissue level of cyclic nucleotides and the renal adenylate cyclase and guanylate cyclase activity were investigated. Hydrochlorothiazide elecitied the maximal diuretic effect between 10 and 20 min after the injection of drug. The increased urine flow and urinary electrolytes excretion returned to the control levels 60 min after the injection of drug. 5 and 15 min after drug administration the cAMP level of renal tissue was significantly decreased, but 60 min after the cAMP level was not different from the control level. The cGMP level of renal tissue was not affected by hydrocholorothiazide. Hydrochlorothiazide (5 X ;10-4 M) inhibited the renal adenylate cyclase but not affected the renal guanylate cyclase. These results suggest that cAMP may be involved in the renal action mechanism of hydrochlorothiazide and the involvement of cGMP is uncertain.