Background: The systemic manifestations of acute pancreatitis are responsible for the
majority of pancreatitis-associated morbidity and mortality and are now believed to be due to
the actions of specific inflammatory cytokines. This report summarizes what is known about
the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. Methods: Comprehensive
literature review of experimental pancreatitis as well as all reports of cytokine involvement
during clinical pancreatitis. Results: Several cytokines and other noncytokine inflammatory …