Some publications have pointed out that oxygen free radicals can induce injury of vessel wall and increase platelet aggregation and clotting, which can suppose a dependent relationship with arteriosclerotic process. We therefore studied the hypothesis of a possible abnormal platelet antioxidant enzymatic equipment in arteriopathic patients. A control group of 20 healthy subjects and an other one of 40 non diabetic patients with peripheral arterial disease were investigated, and the following tests were performed: measure of transcutaneous oxygen tension (PTCO2), determination of activity of platelet superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-peroxidase (G-Px) and catalase (CAT). A significant decrease of SOD and G-Px is observed in platelets of arteriopathic patients. This decrease seems to be correlated with the severity of ischemia. The pathological reduction of platelet antioxidant equipment can be one factor enhancing thrombotic complications in chronic arterial disease.