The respiratory-burst reaction has been studied in rat peritoneal macrophages of different ages (3, 12 and 24 months) using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) to stimulate NADPH oxidase. Production of O2-. and H2O2 decreased with age (about 50 and 75% respectively); however, no difference in NADPH oxidase activity was found. NO. production was also reduced with age (40%). Furthermore, a progressive and significant decrease in the pentose phosphate flux was detected as a function of age in control and PMA-stimulated macrophages. The NADPH/NADP+ ratio decreased with age in control and PMA-stimulated macrophages. Glucose uptake was lower in middle-aged (12 months) and old (24 months) animals but no differences were found between these groups.