Objective To compare the effects and explore mechanism of acupoints on various meridians or nerve segments in treating different symptoms in one disease.Methods Neonatal 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-HT2AR 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 LI14 group increased (P<0.05).The level of 5-HT2AR 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-HT2AR 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-HT2AR 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.

Objective To observe and compare the effects of LI 4 and ST 36 electroacupuncture on co-lonic motility and positive expression of M3 receptor in colon of irritable bowel syndrome ( IBS ) model rats, and to explore the mechanism behind those differences. Methods 40 neonatal Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group, model group, LI 4 group, and ST 36 group. IBS rat model was built by using neonatal maternal separation and acetic acid enema, and colorectal distension ( CRD) stimulation in rats except the blank control group. At 9 weeks rats in LI 4 group and ST 36 group were given electroacupuncture( EA ) intervention once every other day for 5 times. Blank group and model group didn' t receive acupuncture intervention. After the treatment, Bristol Stool Scale was applied to i-dentify the feces types of the IBS rats before and after electroacupuncture invention;Abdominal withdraw-al reflex ( AWR) was evaluated to asess the intestinal sensitivities and smooth muscle contraction intensi-ty;and latency, contraction wave and pressure value of initial wave were observed;The expression of M3 receptor was measured using immunohistochemistry. Results Bristol scores of LI 4 group and ST 36 group significantly decreased (P<0. 01). Compared with blank group, the stool score of model group was significantly increased ( P<0 . 01 );the latency was shortened ( P<0 . 01 ); the number of contrac-tion waves was significantly increased (P<0. 01);the immunohistochemical expression of M3 receptor in the colon was significantly increased (P<0. 01). The immunohistochemical expression of M3 receptor in the colon in LI 4 group was increased (P<0. 01). Compared with model group, after electroacupuncture stimulation, the stool score of LI 4 group and ST 36 group was significantly decreased (P<0. 01); the latency was significantly prolonged ( P <0 . 01 ); the number of contraction wave was significantly de-creased in LI 4 group (P<0. 01) and ST 36 group (P<0. 05);immunohistochemical expression of M3 receptor in the colon was significantly decreased (P<0. 01). Compared with the LI 4 group, the stool score in ST 36 group was decreased ( P<0 . 05 );the pressure value of initial wave significantly decreased (P <0. 01); the immunohistochemical expression of M3 receptor in the colon was decreased ( P <0. 05 ) . Conclusion Stimulating LI 4 or ST 36 with electroacupuncturing could both inhibit gastrointesti-nal tract contraction, reduce intestinal sensitivity and relieve IBS symptoms in rats. LI 4 appears to be more effective than ST 36 in relieving abdominal pain, while ST 36 is better than LI 4 to stop diarrhea. Stimulating different acupoints or acupoints on different nerve segments with electro-acupuncture have specific effects on IBS rats.

The researches on the acupoint effect specificity were summarized to explore whether the integrality of the acupoint effect specificity existed and analyze the connection between the relativity and integrality of the acupoint effect specificity. The literature on the clinical and experimental researches relevant with the acupoint effect specificity was retrieved through CNKI from January 2007 to October 2017. A total of 39 papers met the retrieving criteria. Separately, in terms of the holism of TCM theory, the holism of meridian theory and modern research, the integrality of acupoint effect specificity was analyzed. The relativity and the integrality are indicated in the acupoint effect specificity. The integrality of acupoint effect specificity is closely related to the holism of TCM theory as well as the meridians. Just because of its integrality, the acupoint effect specificity is relative, rather than absolute.