The influence of chronic adriamycin treatment on cellular defence mechanisms against free radicals has been determined in rats. To that end, the changes in vitamin E content, activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and factors of the glutathione system were measured in heart, kidneys and liver after 24 and 52 days of treatment. Moreover, damage was assessed by measuring the activity of NADPH- and NADH-cytochrome c reductase. The results concerning the components of the oxidative defence systems in male rats showed reductions in the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase in renal tissue and in factors of the glutathione system in liver tissue. In cardiac tissue an increased activity of catalase and elevated content of total glutathione were found. Vitamin E content was increased in liver and to a lesser extent, in kidneys. The activity of Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase sharply decreased only in liver. Major differences between male and female rats were not observed in renal and cardiac tissue, as far as protective factors were concerned. However, a decrease in catalase activity was detectable earlier in male kidneys. The protective factors in liver of female rats were far less susceptible to in vivo treatment with adriamycin, as compared to liver of male rats. Decreased activity of the cytochrome reductases was found in liver of male rats. In male renal tissue only cytochrome c reductase activity was significantly reduced. Male cardiac tissue showed no signs of biochemical damage, although from histological examination in a parallel study [J Natl Cancer Inst 76: 299-307 (1986)] lesions were evident. In female rats no damage was found in liver, kidneys and heart.