Objective To explore the possible anti-inflammatory mechanism of intensive insulin therapy （IIT） by studying the effect of IIT on the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, C-reactive protein （CRP） and APACHE Ⅱ score in biliary pyemia. Methods Twenty eight patients with biliary pyemia who were admitted by our department and given an operation within 24 h form Jan. 2005 to Dec. 2008 were randomly divided into two groups by using random number table numbers: one group treated with IIT （IIT group, n=14） and another group treated with routine insulin therapy （RIT group, n=14）. The inflammatory factors, such as TNF-α, IL-6 and CRP were detected dynamically and the APACHEⅡ score was calculated. ResultsThe level of CRP and APACHEⅡ score on day 5 and 7 and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 on day 3, 5 and 7 after operation in IIT group were significantly lower than those in RIT group （P＜0.05, P＜0.0１）. Compared with preoperative levels, the IL-6 and APACHEⅡ score in IIT group commenced to decrease on day 3 after operation （P＜0.05）, that was earlier than control group. Conclusion The treatment with IIT can suppress the composition of TNF-α, IL-6 and CRP, protect impaired hepatic cells, and reduce APACHEⅡ score, the degree of systemic inflammation and incidence of MODS.