Abstract: Objective To study physiological foundation of acupunctureDeqi.Methods 28 healthy volunteers who never experienced acupuncture were recruited. The right Zusanli (ST36) and a site 1.5 cm beside Zusanli (ST36) (nominated as A) were acupunctured at different time. Shallow and deep acupuncturing was inserted at Zusanli (ST36). Only deep acupuncturing was inserted at A. Hemodynamic parameters of the anterior tibial artery including the peak value in the systolic phase (Vmax), the average blood flow velocity (Vm), and the inner diameter of vessels (Dist) were observed with colored Doppler ultrasound before, at the end of acupuncture, and 3 min afterDeqi response. Results There was significant difference in those parameters between before acupuncture and 3 min after deqi response when deep acupuncturing at Zusanli (ST36) (P＜0.05), but was not significant difference when shallow acupuncturing (P＞0.05). There was significant difference in ΔVmax and ΔVm between acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) and A points (P＜0.05). Conclusion Arterial haemodynamics variation seems to be associated with acupunctureDeqi.

Key words: anterior tibial artery, Zusanli (ST36), acupuncture, Deqi