Evidence that the acute phase of ischemic preconditioning does not require signaling by the A2B adenosine receptor

►Protection by early preconditioning can be elicited in A2B receptor knock-out mice. ►Preconditioning in rats is also present during A2B receptor blockade with ATL-801. ►Giving the A2B receptor agonist BAY 60-6583, however, reduces infarct size in rats.