SOD activity and -SH compounds in the liver and RBCs, and some hematological parameters were investigated in control rats and in those submitted to chronic (3 months) intoxication with ethanol. We found significantly lower SOD activity and a decrease in -SH groups in the liver and RBCs of ethanol-treated rats in comparison with the control group. The hemoglobin content and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were reduced, while mean corpuscular volume of RBCs was increased when compared with the control group.