The present study was undertaken to determine whether 2-chloro-N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA), a highly selective A1 adenosine receptor agonist, attenuated cochlear dysfunction induced by transient ischemia or not. Ischemia of different durations (15, 30 or 60 min) was induced in 46 albino guinea pigs by transiently pressing the labyrinthine artery. CCPA or physiological saline solution was intraperitoneally administered to the animals 15 min prior to ischemia. The post-ischemic CAP threshold shift from the pre-administration value was measured 4 h after the onset of reperfusion to assess post-ischemic cochlear dysfunction. A statistically significant reduction in the CAP threshold shift was seen in CCPA-given animals after 15- and 30-min ischemia, whereas there was no statistical difference after 60-min ischemia. These results suggest that A1 adenosine receptor agonist exerts a protective effect on the cochlear injury induced by transient ischemia of intermediate duration.