The aim of this study was to investigate the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-6(IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP) in pancreatitis and its systemic complications. Thirty six patients with acute pancreatitis were studied, 12 with mild disease, and 24 severe disease, of whom 9 developed systemic complications. TNF, IL-6, CRP in these patients with pancreatitis was assessed during the first, 4th, 8th days of admission. The serum concentration of TNF, IL-6, CRP were significantly increased, and significantly higher in complicated group than in mild group and severe group. These findings suggest that proinflammatory cytokines play a central role in the pathophysiology of the disease, the host systemic response to pancreatic inflammation and the level of the response did relate to the development of organ dysfunction.