The present paper reviews development of researches on the correlation between mast cells (MCs) and meridian-acupoints from 1) distribution and morphological characters of MCs

2) effects of acupuncture on the degranulation

rejuvenation

number

and mediator release of MCs

3) the relationship between the propagation of the stimulation-induced sensation along the meridian (PSISM) and MCs: a) cascade reactions of cytokines of MCs and their biological effects

b) release of mediators of MCs and PSISM. Meridian-collateral system and MCs have a close correlation in both the function and structure. MCs in the connective tissues are called as “the migration brain” and vary in functions. Whereas the regulative effect of acupuncture may involve the complicated system of the organism including multiple factors and multiple links. The involvement of MCs-related humoral factor in the regulative efficacy of acupuncture probably possesses remarkable species variation or individual difference

and variation in different functional states. The underlying mechanism of MCs involving acupuncture effect and PSISM phenomenon needs to be studied further.