To elucidate the relationship between active oxygen and interleukin 8 (IL-8) in patients with septic adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), we determined the serum levels of alpha-tocopherol, which has an antioxidant action, and IL-8 in seven patients with this disease. Serum alpha-tocopherol and IL-8 levels determined at the time of diagnosis of septic ARDS were 0.97 +/- 0.36 mg/dl and 0.98 +/- 0.99 ng/ml, respectively. A significant correlation was found between serum alpha-tocopherol level and IL-8 level (r = -0.758, p = 0.0473). These findings suggest that IL-8 activates neutrophils, which produce active oxygen.