Cytosolic oxidation by 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4HNE) and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) results in cell death of bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). In this study, we have investigated the roles of antioxidants such as 2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxy benzyl methyl ether (TDB) and phloroglucinol in preventing cell death. After treatment with oxidants for 6h, cells became compact and showed nuclear condensation, which were characteristics of early apoptosis. After l2h treatment, morphologic features including severe cytoplasm condensation, membrane blebbing, and apoptotic bodies were prominent and these findings were interpreted as characteristics of late-apoptosis. When the apoptotic cells were treated with antioxidants for 12h, both early and late apoptotic cells did show no significant change. After oxidant treated cells were incubated with antioxidant for 24h, the characteristics of early-apoptosis were eliminated but cells in lateapoptosis could not return to normal cells. These results suggest that TDB and phloroglucinol prevent the cells from dying through apoptosis induced by 4HNE and t-BHP in early stage.