Objective To explore the role and action mechanism of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the visceral sensitization of rats with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Methods The experimental rats were divided into 7 groups (10 each), including normal group, normal group with colonic expansion, IBS group, IBS group with colonic expansion, IBS group with colonic expansion and receiving STI-571, IBS group with colonic expansion and receiving DC, IBS group with colonic expansion and receiving both STI-571 and STI-571. Immunofluorescent double staining and electrophysiological method were used to observe the activity of ICC, the electroactivity of the rectus abdominis and the discharge frequency in dorsal commissural nucleus (DCN). Results The discharge frequency and amplitude of the rectus abdominis and DCN in the IBS rats were higher than those in the normal rats (P0.05). After inhibiting ICC proliferation with STI-571, the discharge of the rectus abdominis and DCN in the IBS rats induced by colonic expansion was significantly inhibited (P