Previous findings, which have been confirmed in this study, indicate that nitric oxide (NO)-dependent and -independent (apamin-sensitive) mechanisms underlie the electrically induced non-adrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) relaxation in the circular muscle of rabbit distal colon. Based on this evidence, we further investigated whether, and to what extent, these separate NANC components participate in the maintenance of circular muscle tone, reflex relaxations evoked by localized balloon distension or during peristalsis (descending inhibition) and in the accommodation of colonic wall in response to graded intraluminal fluid delivery. NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) (10-300 microM), apamin (100 nM) and tetrodotoxin (60 nM), enhanced the spontaneous low tone and phasic activity in circular muscle strips. In experiments on peristalsis, L-NNA (30 and 300 microM) shortened the latency of peristaltic wave initiation and increased the velocity of propulsion of an intraluminally distended balloon (range, 0.1-1 ml). The latter effect was mimicked by the NO scavenger oxyhemoglobin (30 microM). Velocity of propulsion was enhanced by apamin (100 nM) at low balloon distension (0.1 and 0.2 ml), whereas it was reduced at high distension volumes (1 ml), due to disruption of descending inhibition. A combination of L-NNA (300 microM) and apamin (100 nM) blocked peristalsis, due to persisting spasms of the circular muscle. L-NNA (300 microM) did not affect the amplitude of distension-evoked ascending reflex contraction and slightly inhibited the descending reflex relaxation. By contrast, the latter reflex was virtually abolished by apamin (100 nM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)