Objective To explore the effect of IL-10 on the inhibition of early proinflammatory cytokine release in intraabdominal infection and early sepsis. Methods Forty eight SD rats were randomized into 4 groups, 12 in each group, ①sham operation group, ②control group, ③prophylactic group, ④therapeutic group. Group 1 underwent laparotomy only, group 2 received laparotomy and cecal ligation plus punctures (CLP) with saline injected once every 3 hrs, group 3 underwent CLP and IL-10 injection intraperitoneally 1 hr before surgery and once every 3 hrs following operation, group 4 received CLP and IL-10 injection once every 3 hrs after operation. At 3 and 9 hr points, rats were sacrificed and blood samples were taken for measurement of inflammatory cytokines. Results Almost no inflammatory cytokines were detected in sham group, CLP produced a significant rise in serum TNF-α (tumor necrosis α), IL-1, IL-6 (interleukin 1,6) in control group, IL-10 reduced the rise of inflammatory cytokines significantly. Conclusion IL-10 could inhibit the early inflammatory cytokine release in rat model of sepsis. Suggesting it may attenuate the severity of inflammation.