Objective: To observe the curative effect of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Qing Yi Tang (QYT

) in acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP).Methods: Twenty three dogs were randomly divided into 3 groups. In the control group (n= 7)

animals underwent laparatomy only. In the ANP group (n = 8)

acute necrotizing pancreatitis was induced by injection of 0.5 ml/kg 5 % sodium taurocholate with 3000 u/ kg trypsin into the pancreatic duct. While in TCM group (n = 8) were fed everyday with QYT after onset of ANP. All animals were sacrificed 7 days later and organs were gathered and cultured. Mucosal and luminal floras of the intestine were analysed. Pancreas and ileal mucosa were examined histologically and ultra-microscopi-cally

the levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and amylase in blood were determined.Results: In the TCM group

histologic and ultra-structural damages in pancreas and ileal mucosa were much milder as compared with those of ANP group. In ANP group

there was a significant increase of E. coli and bacteroids

and a significant decrease of bifidobacteria

lactobacilli and enterococci in the intestinal mucosa

while in the TCM group

these changes were alleviated significantly (P < 0.05 orP < 0.01). As compared with the ANP group

the bacterial translocation (BT) rate was reduced from 100 % to 50 %

and the counts of translocated bacteria were decreased 10–40 times

the levels of LPS and amylase reduced 2–3 times.Conclusions: TCM recipe QYT showed their protective effects on gut barrier function by alleviating the damage of intestinal mucosa and microecologic disturbance following acute pancreatitis. As a result

the chances of BT and enterogenic infection declined. These preparation might be promising in the prophylaxis and treatment of infection complicating ANP.