Objective　　　To investigate the role of epithelial neutrophil activating peptide 78 (ENA-78) in the pathogenesis of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and effects of curcumin intervention on ENA-78 expression in SAP.　　　 Methods　　　Fifty-four SD rats were randomized into three groups: a SAP group

a curcumin treatment group (SAP+CUR) and a control group. SAP model was induced by retrograde infusion of 4% sodium taurocholate into the bili-pancreatic duct in rats. Rats in the SAP+CUR group were injected with curcumin (200 mg/kg) through abdominal cavity before operation while those in the control and SAP groups were injected with DMSO. ENA-78 in the serum was detected by ELISA at various time points. The expression of ENA-78 in pancreatic tissues was detected by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The histopathological changes were observed at the same time.　　　 Results　　　Serum level of ENA-78 in 3 h after operation in the SAP group was significantly higher than that in the control group and SAP+CUR group (P0.01). Compared with the control group

the expression of ENA-78 in the pancreatic tissues of rats in the SAP group and SAP+CUR group increased significantly in a time-dependent manner. Compared with the SAP group

the expression of ENA-78 in the pancreatic tissues of rats in the SAP+CUR group was decreased (P0.01). Pathological injury of pancreatic tissues was more obvious in the SAP group than in the SAP+CUR group.　　　 Conclusion　　　Curcumin efficiently interferes SAP and may be related to inhibition of ENA-78 expression.