Central orexinergic system contributes to the regulation of cardiovascular function. Orexinergic neurons receiving projections of nerve fibers from multiple structures of brain which involved in control and regulation of cardiovascular function locate in hypothalamus, and their axon terminals widely project to various central structures where orexins receptors are expressed. Here, we summarize the present knowledge that describes the influence of central orexinergic system on cardiovascular activity, the relevance of dysfunction in central orexinergic system with hypertension and psychological stress induced cardiovascular reactivity which are serious risk factors for cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular death. We propose that central orexinergic system may be potentially important targets for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular death, and different orexinergic system involved neuronal circuits may be involved in distinct cardiovascular functions. Acupuncture having bidirectional regulatory ability and a much lower incidence of side effects can prevent disease. We review the improvement of acupuncture on hypertension and psychological stress induced cardiovascular reactivity. We think that acupuncture intervenes hypertension and psychological stress induced cardiovascular reactivity to prevent cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular death. We also summarize relation between acupuncture and central orexinergic system. We propose a hypothesis that acupuncture improve hypertension and psychological stress induced cardiovascular reactivity through regulating central orexinergic system. The knowledge is beneficial for the development of potential therapeutic targets and methods to prevent cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular death.

中枢食欲系统有助于心血管功能的调节。食欲素能神经元接收来自大脑多个结构的神经纤维投射，这些神经纤维参与心血管功能的控制和调节，位于下丘脑，其轴突末端广泛投射到表达食欲素受体的各种中央结构。在这里，我们总结了目前的知识，描述了中枢食欲系统对心血管活动的影响，中枢食欲系统功能障碍与高血压和心理压力引起的心血管反应性的相关性，这些都是心血管疾病和心血管死亡的严重危险因素。我们提出中枢食欲系统可能是预防心血管疾病和心血管死亡的潜在重要靶点，不同的食欲系统涉及的神经元回路可能参与不同的心血管功能。针灸具有双向调节能力和极低的副作用发生率，可以预防疾病。我们回顾了针灸对高血压和心理压力引起的心血管反应性的改善。我们认为针灸干预高血压和心理压力引起的心血管反应，从而预防心血管疾病和心血管死亡。我们还总结了针灸与中枢食欲系统之间的关系。我们提出了一个假设，即针灸通过调节中枢食欲系统来改善高血压和心理压力引起的心血管反应。这些知识有利于开发潜在的治疗靶点和方法，以预防心血管疾病和心血管死亡。