Objective To observe the alteration of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β) in acute pancreatitis. MethodsSD male rats were divided into 2 groups: group 1, the normal rats as a control (n＝6); group 2, the acute pancreatitis induced by intraductal injection of 5% sodium cholate sulfur with the volume of 1.0 ml/kg。 The animals were killed at 2(n＝6), 6(n＝6) and 24 hours (n＝8) after operation, the blood samples were taken for measurement of IL-10, TGF-β (by ELISA). The weight of pancreatic tissue and amylase were also observed. Results Serum IL-10 and TGF-β in control group were 32.05±14.87 pg/ml and 66.40±13.20 pg/ml, respectively. Serum IL-10 in group 2 was 36.52±9.76 pg/ml (2 hour), 37.75±6.54 pg/ml (6 hour), and 68.13±19.90 pg/ml (24 hour), respectively. Serum TGF-β in group 2 was 64.58±10.56 pg/ml (2 hour), 72.87±18.34 pg/ml (6 hour), 103.77±28.95 pg/ml (24 hour), respectively. Compared to that of normal rats, the serum level of IL-10 and TGF-β in 24 hours of acute pancreatitis increased significantly (Ｐ＜0.05). Conclusion Anti-inflammatory cytokines, both IL-10 and TGF-β were increased remarkablly in acute pancreatitis. This result indicates that there is a potential tendency of compensatory anti-inflammatory response sydrome in acute pancreatitis.