Objective The expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin(IL)-10 in protrusion and extrusion tissue of intervertebral disc and its correlation with clinical features.Methods The specimens were from 30 cases of disc herniation in single level.The patients were enquired about the medical histories and evaluated by JOA index preoperation before operation,which were all completed by one trained doctor.The contents of IL-10 in the inter=43vertebral disc were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after operation.Results The level of IL-10 had no statistical significance between protrusion and extrusion tissue of intervertebral disc (t =0.032,P =0.725).Patient's JOA index has negative correlation with IL-10(r =-0.377,P =0.040),and positive correlation with Patient's history (r =0.449,P =0.013).Conclusion Protrusion and extrusion tissue of intervertebral disc have abilities of excreting anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.The level of cytokine has correlation with patient's clinical features.