Objective To summarize the recent pathogenetic researches on the acute pancreatitis. Methods Relevant references about the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis, which were published recently domestic and abroad were collected and reviewed. Results Recent experimental data indicated that the synthesis and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemotactic factors were responsible for local injury and systemic dissemination of the inflammatory mediators. Experimental studies also provided evidences implying that the immune system might play a role in the development of pancreatitis, such as the activation of lymphocyte and neutrophil. Additionally, the pancreas may completely recover or become fibrotic after an attack of acute pancreatitis and the presence of pancreatic stellate cell was known as a crucial factor in the fibrogenesis. Conclusion The pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis is very complicated, the factors that determine the ultimate severity of the attack are still unknown.