Objective To compare the effects and explore mechanism of acupoints on various meridians or nerve segments in treating different symptoms in one disease.MethodsNeonatal Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal control group

model group

ST36 group

and LI14 group（n=10-12 in each group）.IBS model was established by administering acetic acid enema combining colorectal distension（CRD）test to rats in all groups except the normal control group.These rats were all isolated from their mothers.2-month old rats in the ST36 group and LI14 group received electro-acupuncture five times

once every two days for 20 minutes.Stool consistency was evaluated according to the Bristol Stool Form Scale（BSFS）

and visceral sensitivity was observed based on abdominal withdraw reflection（AWR）.Levels of TRPV1 and 5-HT

2A

R in rat colon tissues were measured with immunohistochemical method.Results Before electro-acupuncture stimulation

BSFS score of rats in all groups increased significantly（P

<

0.01）compared with the normal control group;after electro-acupuncture

BSFS score of the model group（P

<

0.01）and LI14 group（P

<

0.05）were increased;threshold value of intestinal pressure of model group and ST36 group decreased（P

<

0.01）

and the contraction waves increased significantly（P

<

0.01）.Positive TRPV1 expression increased（P

<

0.01）;and TRPV1 expression in LI14group increased（P

<

0.05）.The level of 5-HT

2A

R in the model group and LI14 group were raised markedly（P

<

0.01）.Compared with the model group

BSFS score of the EA groups decreased significantly（P

<

0.01）;threshold value of intestinal pressure increased（P

<

0.01）;contraction wave decreased significantly（P

<

0.01）

and the expression of TRPV1 and 5-HT

2A

R reduced significantly（P

<

0.01）.Compared with the ST36 group

BSFS score of the LI14 group increased significantly（P

<

0.05）;expression of TRPV1 reduced（P

<

0.01）

and the level of 5-HT

2A

R increased significantly（P

<

0.01）.Conclusion Stimulating LI4 and ST36 with electro-acupuncture could reduce the visceral sensitivity and the gastrointestinal motility disorder in IBS model rat.LI4 has a better effect of treating gastrointestinal motility disorder

and ST36 has a better effect of relieving visceral pain.This study illustrates the existence of therapeutic specificity of acupoints

which means acupoints on different meridians or ganglions can be used to treat the same disease yet with different effects.