Abstract: Abstract Objective: To study the effect of montelukast on IL-8 and TNF-α level in induced sputum and the pulmonary function in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: Forty patients, aged from 65 to 70 years, with COPD and 20 health subjects were included in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to treatment group (n=20) and control group (n=20). Patients in two groups were given the conventional treatment, including antibiotic therapy, oxygen therapy, expectorant and bronchodilator, but patients in treatment group were also given montelukast sodium 10 mg orally before sleeping for 2 weeks. The levels of IL-8, TNF-α and the pulmonary function were observed before and after treatment. Results: The levels of IL-8 and TNF-α were higher in COPD patients than those in health subjects before treatment. The values of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and FEV1/ fast vital capacity (FVC) % were lower in COPD patients than those in health subjects. After treatment, the levels of IL-8 and TNF-α were lower in treatment group than those in control group. The value of FEV1 was higher in treatment group than that in control group. Conclusion: Montelukast can relieve the inflammation of airway, and improve the pulmonary function in patients with COPD.

Key words: Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive, Interleukin-8, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, Montelukast, Sputum