Objectives To elucidate the potential role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of coro- nary heart disease (CHD). Methods TNF-α and IFN-γ activity , IL-8 levels of plasma and supematants were measured in 62 patients with CHD and 30 health controls by methods of direct cytotoxicity assay, cyto- pathic effect inhibition test and ELISA respectively. Results Both TNF-α activity and IL-8 levels of plas- ma in CHD patients were higher and IFN-γ activity of supematants in CHD patients were lower than those of healthy controls(P < 0.001),There have significant differences between healthy controls and the subgroups of CHD ( P < 0. 01 ) . IL-8 levels of plasma increased with the advancing of the disease and there have obvious differences among subgroups of the illness(P <0. 05). TNF-α activity of plasma in stable angina pectoris ( SAP ) subgroup was lower than those of unstable an- gina pectoris ( UAP ) and acute myocardial infarction ( AMI) subgroups, the differences between SAP and UAP or AMI were significant ( P < 0. 05 ) , But there have no significant differences between UAP and AMI (P> 0. 05). However, IFN-γ activity of supematants showed no difference among any subgroups. Conclu- sions there have close relations between TNF-α, IFN-γ,IL-8 and CHD. Objectives To elucidate the potential role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of coro- nary heart disease (CHD). Methods TNF-α and IFN-γ activity, IL-8 levels of plasma and supematants were measured in 62 patients with CHD and 30 health controls by methods of direct cytotoxicity assay, cyto-pathic effect inhibition test and ELISA respectively. Both TNF-α activity and IL-8 levels of plasmas in CHD patients were higher and IFN-γ activity of supematants in CHD patients were lower than Those of healthy controls (P <0.001), There have significant differences between healthy controls and the subgroups of CHD (P <0.01). IL-8 levels of plasma increased with the advancing of the disease and there have obvious differences among subgroups of the illness (P <0.05). TNF-α activity of plasma in stable angina pectoris (SAP) subgroup was lower than those of unstable an- gina pectoris (UAP) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) subgroups, the differences between SAP and UAP or AM There were no significant differences between UAP and AMI (P> 0.05). However, IFN-γ activity of supematants showed no difference among any subgroups. Concluses Relations between TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-8 and CHD.