To investigate the effect of EPO on hepcidin mRNA expression in normal mice, acute inflammatory mice and ACD mice, the acute phase model and ACD model of mouse was produced by subcutaneous injection of turpentine oil. Hepatic hepcidin mRNA expression levels of normal mice, acute inflammatory mice and ACD mice were detected by semi-quantitative retro-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) after intra-peritoneal injection of EPO. The results showed that prolonged chronic inflammation did not significantly increase mouse hepatic hepcidin mRNA expression, but a single injection of turpentine oil increased mouse hepatic hepcidin mRNA expression transiently. Intra-peritoneal injection of EPO down-regulated hepatic hepcidin mRNA expression in normal mice, ACD mice and acute inflammatory mice. Hb levels had a negative correlation with hepatic hepcidin mRNA expression levels in ACD mice treated with EPO. It is concluded that the ACD model can be produced by repeated subcutaneous injection of turpentine oil. Hepatic hepcidin mRNA expression increased during the early period of ACD process and then fall to normal level. EPO down-regulate hepcidin mRNA expression under the normal, acute inflammation and chronic inflammation conditions.