In dispersed acini from guinea pig pancreas, theophylline did not alter basal amylase release, but had three functionally distinct modes of action on the stimulation of amylase release caused by various secretagogues. 1) At relatively low concentrations (0.1-1.0 mM), theophylline augmented the increase in enzyme secretion caused by vasoactive intestinal peptide, secretin, or 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-monophosphate, but did not alter the increase in amylase release caused by other secretagogues. 2) At intermediate concentrations (1-10 mM), theophylline selectively altered the increase in enzyme secretion caused by carbamylcholine, but did not alter the effects of cholecystokinin or bombesin, secretagogues whose modes of action are similar to that of cabamylcholine. 3) At high concentrations (greater than 10 mM), theophylline inhibited the increase in enzyme secretion caused by all secretagogues tested.