Abstract:Vascular dysfunction is the main cause of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells when exposed to the hypoxia can quickly produce several types of responses including acute reaction and gene level alteration, and ultimately resulting in a vasoconstriction or vasodilation. The reduction of oxygen content in arterial blood also immediately stimulates carotid body chemoreceptor, and then activates the sympathetic nerves, which induces an acute change of vascular function. Heme oxygenases and hypoxia-inducible factor play a vital role in the long term effect of vessel walls during hypoxia. This article also introduces that long term nerve stimulation can promote not only the vascular endothelial injury but also the proliferation and migration of adventitial fibroblasts and medial smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, we focus on the central nervous system diseases involved in cerebrovascular endothelial cells.

Key words:autonomic nerve,arterial injury,hypoxia,cardiocerebrovascular system