This article reviews studies on the role of vaso- active substances in acu-moxibustion treatment of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases in recent 6 yea rs from ① treatment of angina pectoris of coronary heart disease

② treatm ent of hypertension

and ③ cerebral ischemia and infarction. A great number of cl in ical and experimental results indicate that acupuncture and moxibustion can regulate the levels of plasma vaso-active substances including endothelin

c al citonin gene related peptide

thromboxane A 2

prostacylin

nitric oxide

angi ot esinⅡ

atrial natriuretic peptide and neurotensin. Acu-moxibustion stimulatio n induced favorable regulation on plasma vaso-active substance levels may contrib ute to its therapeutic effect in improving cardio-cerebrovascular diseases.