AIM:To investigate the therapeutic effects of resveratrol(RESV) as a free radical scavenger on experimental se-vere acute pancreatitis (SAP).METHODS:Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley ratswere divided randomly into sham operation group,SAPgroup,and resveratrol-treated group.Pancreatitis wasinduced by intraductal administration of 0.1 mL/kg 4%sodium taurocholate.RESV was given intravenouslyat a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight.All animals werekilled at 3,6,12 h after induction of the model.Serumamylase,pancreatic superoxide dismutase (SOD),malondialdehyde (MDA),and myeloperoxidase (MPO)were determined.Pathologic changes of the pancreaswere observed under optical microscope.RESULTS:The serum amylase,pancreatic MPO andthe score of pathologic damage increased after theinduction of pancreatitis,early (3,6 h)SAP sampleswere characterized by decreased pancreatic SODand increased pancreatic MDA.Resveratrol exhibiteda protective effect against lipid peroxidation in cellmembrane caused by oxygen free radicals in theearly stage of SAP.This attenuation of the redox stateimpairment reduced cellular oxidative damage,asreflected by lower serum amylase,less severe pancreaticlesions,normal pancreatic MDA levels,as well asdiminished neutrophil infiltration in pancreas.CONCLUSION:RESV may exert its therapeutic effecton SAP by lowering pancreatic oxidative free radicals andreducing pancreatic tissue infiltration of neutrophils. AIM: To investigate the therapeutic effects of resveratrol (RESV) as a free radical scavenger on experimental se-vere acute pancreatitis (SAP). METHODS: Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley ratswere divided randomly into sham operation group, SAPgroup, and resveratrol- treated group. Pancreatitis was induced by intraductal administration of 0.1 mL / kg 4% sodium taurocholate. RESV was given intravenously a a dose of 20 mg / kg body weight. All animals were at 3,6,12 h after induction of the model. pancreatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were determined. Pathologic changes of the pancreas observed by optical microscope. RESULTS: The serum amylase, pancreatic MPO and the score of pathologic damage increased after the induction of pancreatitis, early (3,6 h) SAP sampleswere characterized by sequentially pancreatic SOD and increased pancreatic MDA. Resveratrol extractsa protective effect against lipid peroxidation in cellmembrane caused by oxygen free r adicals in the early stage of SAP. This attenuation of the redox state impairment reduced cellular oxidative damage, as reflected by lower serum amylase, less severe pancreaticles, normal pancreatic MDA levels, as well as diminished neutrophil infiltration in pancreas. CONCLUSION: RESV may exert its therapeutic effect on SAP by lowering pancreatic oxidative free radicals andreducing pancreatic tissue infiltration of neutrophils.