Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)stimulation of sensitized acupoints on bowel dysfunction in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome(D-IBS)rats.Methods Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into control

model

EA sensitized acupoint["Dachangshu"(BL 25)

EA-BL 25]and EA non-sensitized acupoint["Xinshu"(BL 15)

EA-BL 15]groups

with 20 rats in the model group and 10 rats in each of the other 3 groups.The D-IBS model was established by chronic restraint stress and intragastric administration of folium sennae(0.3 g/mL

10 mL/kg)

once daily for 2 weeks

followed by two weeks' restraint stress stimulation.The sensitized acupoints were determined by locating the extravasation points of Evans Blue(EB)dye after tail-intravenous injection

and stimulated with EA(2 mA

2 Hz)for 30 min

once daily for 7 consecutive days.For rats of the EA non-sensitized acupoint group

bilateral BL 15 were stimulated with the same parameters and same stimulation duration.The rats' bowel mobility was evaluated by Bristol stool scale(BSS)

loose stools rate and diarrhea index.Results After modeling

the BSS

loose stool rate

and diarrhea index were significantly increased in the model group relevant to the control group(P<0.05).After the treatment

the BSS

loose stool rate

and diarrhea index on day 7 were considerably lowered in the EA-BL 25 group(P<0.05)but not in EA-BL15 group(P>0.05)

suggesting a better therapeutic effect of EA of the sensitized acupoint.No significant changes were found in the abovementioned 3 indexes on day 4 after the treatment relevant to the model group(P>0.05).Conclusion EA stimulation of the sensitized acupoint can improve diarrhea in D-IBS rats.