Several bichemical parameters related to free radicals were estimated in senile-prone (P) and resistant(R) strains of male senescence-accelerated mice(SAM) at 2, 5 and 11 months of age. The superoxide generation was increased with age in SAM-R/1 and SAM-P/2. Compared to SAM-R/1, more generation of superoxide was significantly noted in the SAM-P/2 liver. The activities of Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase and catalase were decreased during aging and these activities in SAM-P/2 were significantly lower than in SAM-R/l liver. The activities of glutathione S-transferase were varied with aging, whereas SAM-P/2 showed lower levels compared to SAM-R/l. The gradual decreases of glutathione, protein bound-SH and nonprotein bound-SH contents were noted with increasing age. SAM-P/2 liver contained lesser amounts of glutathione and nonprotein bound-SH compared to SAM-R. In conclusion, superoxide generation was increased whereas the antioxidant enzyme activities were decreased during aging in SAM-R/1. In addition, SAM-P/2 strain showed more superoxide generation and less antioxidant enzyme activities than SAM-R/1 in the liver, thus we assume that these factors might accelerate the senescence of SAM-P/2 strain.