TEA, glibenclamide, L-NAME and SKF 525A-induced reversible contraction were investigated using acetylcholine, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and pinacidil in rat abdominal and thoracic aorta. Acetylcho-line, SNP or pinacidil produced in a dose dependent manner relaxation on phenylephrine-induced contraction In rat aorta. TEA, SKF 525A, and L-NAME produced reversible contractions on acetylcholine-induced relaxation, but not on SNP- or pinacidil-induced relaxation. Glibenclamide significantly produced reversible con- traction on pinacidll-induced relaxation. The reversible effect of TEA on the acetylcholine-induced relaxation was reduced by SKF 525A. These results indicate that the acetylcholine-induced relaxation may be mediated by NO, cytochrome P$_{450}$-dependent epoxygenase pathway, or $Ca^{2+}$ activated $K^{+}$ channel, and the pinacidil-induced relaxation may be mediated by ATP-sensitive $K^{+}$ channel.annel.