The levels of serum TNF-alpha and IL-8 in the patients with allergic asthma during acute attack period and remission period, and the effects of glucocorticoid (GC) on them were investigated. By using ELISA, the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-8 were detected in the healthy volunteers (group C, n =40), the patients with allergic asthma (n=40) during acute attack period (group A) and remission period (group B) and those taking GC for a week (n=28). The results were compared among them. It was found that the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-8 in group A were higher than in group B and group C. In the patients subject to GC therapy, the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-8 were decreased as compared with those in group A. In group B, the level of TNF-alpha was higher than in group C, but there was no significant difference in the level of IL-8 between group B and group C. It was concluded that the inflammatory cytokines, TNF-alpha and IL-8, played important roles in the bronchus allergic inflammation. GC could reduce the levels of serum TNF-alpha and IL-8 to exert the anti-inflammatory effects.