Lipid peroxidation, vitamin E level and glutathione-peroxidase activity were determined in platelets from elderly (greater than 68 years) and young (21-43 years) people. To further assess the platelet lipid peroxidation, the metabolism of endogenous arachidonic acid in unstimulated platelets as well as that of the exogenous one were measured in the two groups. The oxygenated metabolites of arachidonic acid were enhanced in the elder population under both conditions tested. In addition, the platelet malondialdehyde content, a marker of the overall lipid peroxidation, was also found significantly increased in platelets from aged subjects. On the other hand, the platelet vitamin E level and the glutathione-peroxidase activity were significantly depressed in the elder group compared to the young one. These results suggest that the increased platelet activation observed with age could be linked to the accumulation of lipoxygenase-dependent peroxides associated with the decreased antioxidative defence of the cells, especially glutathione-peroxidase activity.