Two long-chain N-acylethanolamines (NAEs:), N-palmitoyl- (NPE) and N-stearoylethanolamine (NSE), are shown to inhibit an in vitro non-enzymatic Fe2+-induced free radical oxidation of lipids in the liver mitochondria of rats with hypoxic hypoxia. NSE appeared to be more effective than NPE in suppressing some kinetic parameters of the Fe2+-induced chemiluminescence. The inhibitory action of NAEs on non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation supports the idea that they possess membrane protective properties. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.