[Progress of researches and comments on promoters initiating effects of acupuncture stimulation of acupoints].

Acupoints, the local initial site of signals of acupuncture or moxibustion stimulation, play an important role in producing clinical therapeutic effects. The whole process of acupuncture stimulation induced improvement of the related visceral dysfunction or regional disorders includes 3 key links: 1) initiation of acupuncture/moxibustion signals from the stimulated acupoints; 2) conduction, coordination and integration of the complicated peripheral and central networks; and 3) responses of the target organs. Abundant research results indicate that acupuncture or moxibustion stimulation can induce specific changes in the regional micro-environment such as excitement of the peripheral cells, release of chemical substances, excitement of the afferent nerve, etc., which constitutes the important biological basis of the initial process of regional acupoint signals for producing therapeutic effects.