Background, Cytokines derived from macrophages may play an integral ro
le in the evolution of acute pancreatitis. Interleukin-10 (IL-10), a p
otent antiinflammatory cytokine, prevents the activation of macrophage
s and their release of inflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study w
as to determine whether treatment with IL-10 decreased the severity of
experimental acute pancreatitis. Methods, Thirty female Swiss Webster
mice were divided into three groups. Acute pancreatitis was induced b
y using a choline-deficient, 0.5% ethionine supplemented (CDE) diet. G
roup A (controls) received CDE diet alone. Group B was pretreated with
10,000 units of intraperitoneal IL-10 at the onset of feeding and eve
ry 8 hours thereafter. Group C received IL-10 33 hours after beginning
the CDE diet and every 8 hours thereafter. One half of the animals in
each group was killed at 54 hours; the remaining living animals were
killed at 80 hours, Serum amylase levels (units per liter) were determ
ined at 54 and 80 hours. Pancreata were harvested and fixed in formali
n. Histologic characteristics were graded on a scale from 0 to 4 (norm
al to most abnormal) in a blinded fashion by two investigators. Result
s, Serum amylase level and histologic score (edema, inflammation, hemo
rrhage, and necrosis) were significantly reduced when IL-10 was admini
stered either prophylactically or therapeutically (p < 0.01). At 44 ho
urs all animals were alive, Mortality was reduced at 80 hours in both
groups treated with IL-10 compared with those fed the CDE diet alone (
p < 0.001), Conclusions, These results suggested that macrophages play
an integral role in determining the severity of acute pancreatitis in
this animal model. The finding that IL-10 decreased inflammation and
prevented death, even when given after acute pancreatitis was establis
hed suggests that it may have potential for clinical use.