The effects of the nephrotoxic, anticancer agents cisplatin (CDI)P) and carboplatin (CBDCA), and the free radical scavenger, stobadine, were investigated on lipid peroxidation (EI’O) of rat kidney homogenates and phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes. Kidney homogenates were incubated in air at 37 °C for 6-48 h and lipid peroxidation was detected spectroscopically as absorbance (533 nm) of the thiobarbituric acid- malondialdchyde (TBA-MDA) complex. CDDP (0.3-10 mmol.I'1) increased LPO of the homogenate. CBDCA decreased the TBA-MDA absorbance, yet was found to interfere with MDA, TBA and/or with the TBA-MDA complex. Thus when CBDCA is involved, the TBA- MDA method for detection of LPO is not suitable. Stobadine (0.1 mmol.I'1 ar>d 1 mmol.I1) inhibited LPO either in the control homogenate and in the homogenate where peroxidation was increased by CDDP. The effect of CDDP and CBDCA on peroxidation of PC liposomes was monitored as oxygen consumption using a Clark-type oxygen electrode. CDDP increased but CBDCA decreaed the rate of oxygen consumption during the peroxidation of liposomes induced by FcSO,». The results suggest that the effects of CDDP and CBDCA on LPO may be linked with their nephrotoxicity.