In the rabbit iris sphincter muscle, transmural electrical stimulation produces cholinergic and substance P-ergic responses. In the present work, the effects of dynorphin-(1-13), an endogenous ligand of the kappa opioid receptor, on these two neurogenic responses were examined pharmacologically and the data compared to findings in case of other opioid agonists. Dynorphin-(1-13) (10(-7) to 10(-6) M) enhanced the cholinergic responses and attenuated the substance P-ergic response, in a concentration-dependent manner, and these actions of dynorphin-(1-13) were more apparent in the case of low-frequency stimulation. These effects of dynorphin-(1-13) were antagonized by naloxone (10(-5) M). Dynorphin-(1-13) had no effects on the responses to exogenously applied acetylcholine, carbachol and substance P. The augmenting effect on the cholinergic transmission was unique in kappa agonists, as the cholinergic responses were also augmented by other kappa agonists such as dynorphin-(1-17) and ethylketocyclazocine, but attenuated by other opioid agonists (Met-enkephalin, beta-endorphin and morphine) and not affected by SKF-10,047 and nalorphine. On the other hand, the substance P-ergic response was attenuated by all the opioids used. These results suggest that dynorphin-(1-13) presynaptically increases the release of acetylcholine from the parasympathetic postganglionic nerves and reduces the release of substance P from the trigeminal nerve, mediated by kappa type of opioid receptors.