Objective To better understand the potential role of β-endorphin (β-EP) in the pathogenesis of infection brain edema(IBE) , the present study was to investigate the changes of β-EP and the influence of Jinerlun, a β-EP blocker, on a rabbits model of IBE. Methods Experimental IBE was induced by pertussis bacilli in rabbits. Tweenty-one rabbits were divided randomly into three groups:①Normal saline group (NS, n =7),②Pertussis bacilli group (PB,n=7) and ③Jinerlun group (JEL, n =7) . Water content(WC),Evans Blue concentration (EB) in brain tissue and β-EPwere measured in plasma,cerebrospinal fluid(CSF),cortex and hippocampus in three groups respectively. Results WC and EB were significantly higher in the PB group than those in the NS group and JEL group ( P <0.01).β-EP of the plasma , CSF , cortex and hippocampus were significantly higher in the PB group than those in the NS group (106.33±24.96 ng/ml vs 43.80±19.63 ng/ml, 2.49±0.66 ng/ml vs 1.14±0.39 ng/ml, 56.28±11.66 ng/mg vs 18.50±2.01 ng/mg, 85.97±33.76 ng/mg vs 22.52±6.09 ng/mg, P <0.01, respectively) and in the JEL group (106.33±24.96 ng/ml vs 69.38±4.67 mg/ml, 2.49±0.66 ng/ml vs 1.44±0.26 ng/ml, 56.28±11.66 ng/mg vs 31.16±7.01 ng/mg, 85.97±33.76 ng/mg vs 45.03±9.98 ng/mg, P <0.01, respectively). Conclusions β-EP involves in the pathophysiologic processes of the experimental IBE, and Jinerlun plays an important role in amelioration of β-EP increase and IBE.