This study based on two serial animal experiments: ①caerulein-induced edematous pancreatitis with gut motility inhibited by administration of lopemin (an opium antidiarrheal agent) and ②deoxycholate intraductal-injection induced pancreatitis with gut motility improved by administration of rhubarb solution. The results of these experiments indicated that inhibition of gut motility will increase the incidence of bacterial translocation and endotoxemia during acute pancreatitis; and acceleration of gut motility will significantly decrease the incidence of bacterial translocation and endotoxemia during severe type of acute pancreatitis. The authors conclude that promotion of gut motility may protect the inflammatory pancreas from infection and prevent the multiple organ failure during acute pancreatitis, and eventualy improve the prognosis of pancreatitis.