Hypoxia-induciole factor-1 (HIF-1) is an important transcription factor.It participates in the body's response to the hypoxic environment mainly through its active subunit HIF-1α.During cerebral ischemia and hypoxia,the expression of HIF-1α is upregulated and may activate the expressions of multiple downstream target genes involving glycolysis,vascular growth,cell survival and apoptosis.It has an important significance for the improvement of energy metabolism and the establishment of microcirculation after cerebral ischemia.HIF-1α can not only promote the neuronal survival,but also mediate delayed neuronal death.A variety of preconditioning and postconditioning methods may regulate the survival and death of neuronal cells by activating HIF-1α.