Objective To examine the levels of interferon-γ(INF-γ).tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)in serum of patients with acute uveitis before and after treatment,and to explore the possible roles of those cytokines in the initiation and progression of the u,ieitis. Methods A series of 75 patients with acute uveitis.and 30 healthy persons from our hospital were investigated.The Ievels of INF-γ,TNF-α and IL-6 in acute phase and convalescent phase were measured by the enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Result The serum 1evels of INF-γ,TNF-α and IL-6 in acute phase were significantly higher than that of the convalescent phase and the healthy controls(F=65.805/50.418/155.381,P=0.000).A significant negative correlation was found between the serum leveis of INF-γ,TNF-α and IL-6 in acute phase with their initiaI visual acuity(r=-0.656,-0.592 and-0.653,P＜O.01).There was also a positive correlation among the serum levels of INF-γ,TNF-α and IL-6(r=0.340,0.467 and 0.338,P＜0.05). Conclusions There are high serum levels of INF-γ,TNF-α and IL-6 in patients with acute uveitis,and the cytokines levels were decreased after the treatment.The results suggested that the INF-γ,TNF-α and IL-6 involved in initiation and progression of uveitis.