Carotid artery calcification is a calcium deposition on arterial wals. It has a great clinical significance when it occurs within atherosclerotic plaques, which is a marker of the progressive atherosclerosis. In recent years, the studies on the mechanism of carotid artery calcification and imaging detection methods are continuously advancing and being updated. In addition, the correlation between carotid plaque calcification and ischemic cerebrovascular disease and the effect on its therapeutic decisions are also the research foci. However, there have been controversies about the advantages and disadvantages of carotid artery calcification. Some researchers believe that carotid artery calcifications are a protective factor, but others believe that they may promote the plaque vulnerability. This article reviews the recent progress in research on carotid artery calcification from the above aspects.

Caveolins are the major component proteins of the caveolae, and they are also the essential proteins to carry out the physiological functions of caveolae. Caveolins are expressed in smooth muscle cels, endothelial cels, and adipocytes. Caveolae are not only involved in the basic physiological processes, such as celular fat intake, endocytosis, and pinocytosis, but also play a very important role in cel signal transduction and transport and permeability of macromolecular substance. With the in-depth research on the molecular structure and biochemical function of caveolins, increasing studies have shown that caveolae and their main component caveolins play an important role in the pathophysiological process of cerebrovascular diseases. This article reviews the roles of caveolins in the blood-brain barrier destruction after cerebral ischemia.