We studied vasodilatator innervation in canine cerebral arteries and analyzed mechanisms of neurally induced vasodilatation. Available pharmacological, biochemical and histological evidence supports the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) synthesized in nerve terminals acts as a neurotransmitter that activates soluble guanylate cyclase in vascular smooth muscle and increases the production of cyclic GMP, resulting in relaxation. Peripheral arteries, such as the mesenteric, temporal, saphenous, uterine, and retinal, arteries, respond to nerve stimulation with contractions that are reversed to relaxations by α-adrenoceptor blockade. The relaxation is also mediated by NO derived from perivascular nerves. Thus, reciprocal regulation by NO-mediated (nitroxidergic) and adrenergic nerves is speculated. Potentiation by NO synthase inhibitors of the arterial contraction associated with adrenergic nerve stimulation in vitro is ascribed to depressed vasodilator nerve function. Systemic blood pressure in anesthetized dogs is increased by intravenous injections of NO synthase inhibitors. Our evidence strongly suggests that the pressor response is associated with suppressed synthesis and release of NO derived mainly from vasodilator nerves. It is concluded that nitroxidergic vasodilator nerves play important roles in the regulation of vascular tone in vitro and in vivo and in the control of systemic blood pressure. Presented here are new concepts for the mechanism of hypertension and the role played by NO-mediated nerve function. (Hypertens Res 1995; 18: 19-26)