Isosorbide-5-mononitrate and isosorbide-2-mononitrate, the metabolites of isosorbide dinitrate, were studied for their effects on the contractile and electrical activity and on the content of cyclic nucleotides in isolated heart muscles of guinea-pig and dog. Isosorbide-5-mononitrate at all concentrations tested and isosorbide-2-mononitrate at low concentrations did not produce significant changes in the mechanical activity of guinea-pig heart preparations. Isosorbide-2-mononitrate in concentrations above 10(-4) M inhibited the contractility and shortened the action potential of guinea-pig and dog heart muscle. Neither mononitrate had an effect on cAMP concentration but both induced a significant elevation of cGMP content in guinea-pig heart tissue, the effect of isosorbide-2-mononitrate being greater.