The effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation upon macrophage metabolism and function was examined in aged rats fed a balanced or a polyunsaturated-rich diet. The following parameters were studied: number of cells in the intraperitoneal cavity, maximal activity of hexokinase, citrate synthase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutathione peroxidase and phosphate-dependent glutaminase. The consumption of glucose and the production of lactate, hydrogen peroxide and thiobarbituric reactive substances were measured in control ONCO-BCG injected rats. The results indicated that vitamin E has no significant effect on the values of the parameters studied in the macrophages of rats fed a balanced diet both for 3 (mature) or 17 months (aged). This antioxidant did not provoke any response on the changes caused by ageing the animals. However, several of the metabolic and functional alterations in macrophage induced by the polyunsaturated-rich diets were reversed by the inclusion of vitamin E in the diet. These changes were associated with macrophage migration capacity, citrate synthase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities and the content of lipid peroxides. The findings suggest that vitamin E has a beneficial effect for macrophage metabolism and function, but the effects are confined to particular circumstances.