Abstract: Objective To investigate the relationship between tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods COPD patients and controls were divided into three groups: COPD group (n=66), smoker control group (n=42) and health control group (n=23). COPD group was further divided into the serious group (n=23) and non-serious group (n=43). The concentration of TNF-α of all cases was detected by human Th1/Th2 cytokine kit.Results The concentration of TNF-α in the COPD group was significantly higher than that of the smoker and healthy groups ( P<0.01). Furthermore, compared to non-serious COPD group, the concentration of TNF-α was higher in the serious COPD group ( P<0.05).Conclusion The concentration of TNF-α might be related with the pathogenesis and development of COPD.

Key words: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), smoking