A simple and rapid spectrophotometric method for evaluating platelet superoxide dismutase is reported. Platelets prepared avoiding erythrocyte and leucocyte contamination were lysated and tested in a Tris-cacodylic buffer containing pyrogallol. Platelet superoxide dismutase was calculated by evaluating the degree of the pyrogallol autoxidation inhibition induced by platelet lysate. Possible interferences of hydrogen peroxide, peroxidases and reducing substances were excluded. Platelet superoxide dismutase content was studied in 38 healthy subjects and was 19.1 +/- 4.1 U/10(8) platelets or 35 +/- 7.8 U/mg protein.