Inflammatory phagocytic leukocytes produce superoxide and hydrogen peroxide and secrete myeloperoxidase (MPO) into the extracellular medium. MPO catalyzes the oxidation of Cl- by H2O2 to yield chlorinated oxidants (e.g. HOCl and NH2Cl), which have been shown to induce pathologic changes in mucosal function. We examined the ability of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), a drug used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), to inhibit oxidation of L-cysteine by NH2Cl, HOCl and H2O2. NH2Cl and HOCl were especially strong oxidants against L-cysteine. 5-ASA prevented L-cysteine oxidation by NH2Cl and HOCl; an interaction associated with the formation of characteristic absorption spectra due to the oxidation of 5-ASA was observed. NH2Cl and HOCl evoked characteristic increases in short-circuit current (Isc), indicative of net electrolyte transport, when added to the serosal side of stripped rat colon mounted in Ussing chambers. Premixing of NH2Cl with 5-ASA 10 min before addition to the tissue markedly reduced the secretory response to NH2Cl. In contrast, 5-ASA immediately reduced the response to HOCl. The reduction in the functional response to NH2Cl and HOCl by 5-ASA may contribute to its mechanism of action in the treatment of the symptoms of IBD.