ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of interleukin8 (IL8) in rabbit models of laryngopharyngeal reflux and explore its role in the pathogenesis of this disease.MethodsTwenty ordinary grade New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into experimental group and control group, with 10 in each group. In the experimental group, the upper and lower esophageal sphincters were dilated, and the control group was a sham operation group. The animals were regularly subjected to 24hour laryngeal pH monitoring and Reflux Finding Score (RFS) evaluating, and tissues of different parts of the upper respiratory tract were taken for immunohistochemical staining to detect the expression level of IL8.ResultsThe 24hour pH monitoring results showed that there was significant laryngopharyngeal reflux in the experimental group.The positive rate of Ryan score was significantly different between the two groups (P<0.001). There was a significant difference in the positive rate of RFS score between the two groups（P=0.029）. The difference of IL8 immunohistochemical staining scores between the experimental group and the control group was significant in the vocal cord specimens (P=0.015), but insignificant in the specimens of Eustachian tube, tonsil, and inferior turbinate（all P>0.05）.ConclusionLaryngopharyngeal reflux can lead to high expression of IL8, and IL8 may play an important role in the development of laryngopharyngeal reflux.