This book provides a concise yet comprehensive review of the morphological, biochemical, electrical, mechanical, and metabolic properties of vascular smooth muscle, the regulation of vascular activities and the intracellular signaling involved. It particularly focuses on recently identified vasoactive agents, enzymes and transduction mechanisms. It also discusses the latest findings in the regulation of cerebral, coronary and pulmonary circulation as well as vascular activity under hypoxia and ageing. The contraction and dilatation activities of vasculature are of fundamental importance for maintaining circulation homeostasis and adapting physiological changes. Over the last four decades, there have been significant advances in our understanding of the biochemical, structural, genetic, physiological, and pharmacological aspects of vascular activity regulation, and these insights into the responsiveness of blood vessels under normal and pathophysiological conditions help to provide valuable weapons in the fight vascular diseases. The book is of interest to researchers and graduate students, both in basic research and in clinic settings, in the field of vascular biology.

Table of contents (19 chapters)
Architecture of the Blood Vessels
Gao, Yuansheng
Pages 3-12
Ultrastructure of Vascular Smooth Muscle
Gao, Yuansheng
Pages 13-25
Vascular Endothelium
Gao, Yuansheng
Pages 27-40
Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Vascular Smooth Muscle
Gao, Yuansheng
Pages 41-55
Biochemistry of the Contractile Proteins of Smooth Muscle
Gao, Yuansheng
Pages 57-68
Metabolism of Vascular Smooth Muscle
Gao, Yuansheng
Pages 69-80
Neurotransmitters
Gao, Yuansheng
Pages 83-96
Endothelium-Derived Factors
Gao, Yuansheng
Pages 97-111
Local Metabolic Factors and Vasoactivity
Gao, Yuansheng
Pages 113-126
Shear Stress, Myogenic Response, and Blood Flow Autoregulation
Gao, Yuansheng
Pages 127-136
Intracellular Ca2+ Regulation
Gao, Yuansheng
Pages 139-154
Regulation of Myosin Light Chain Phosphorylation
Gao, Yuansheng
Pages 155-167
Cyclic AMP Signaling
Gao, Yuansheng
Pages 169-180
Cyclic GMP Signaling
Gao, Yuansheng
Pages 181-195
Coronary Vasoreactivity
Gao, Yuansheng
Pages 199-214
Cerebral Vasoreactivity
Gao, Yuansheng
Pages 215-229
Pulmonary Vasoreactivity
Gao, Yuansheng
Pages 231-249
Hypoxic Vasoreactivity
Gao, Yuansheng
Pages 251-266
Aging and Vasoreactivity
Gao, Yuansheng
Pages 267-286