Human 5-lipoxygenase (5LO) becomes very unstable after purification. Commonly used methods for protein stabilization could not prevent this inactivation. However, addition of small amounts of glutathione peroxidase (0.15 micrograms/ml) and superoxide dismutase (1 microgram/ml) to the solution of purified 5LO (300-500 micrograms/ml) stabilized the enzyme during storage. The protected 5LO maintained full activity for at least 12 days at 25 degrees C, while 50% of the activity was lost within 10 h without protection. Glutathione peroxidase alone also preserved the activity of 5-lipoxygenase; however, the effect declined rapidly in the absence of superoxide dismutase. 2-Mercaptoethanol was the most efficient hydrogen donor substrate for glutathione peroxidase in the protection of 5LO. Catalase was less effective as a stabilizing agent, and ebselen, a synthetic glutathione peroxidase-mimicking compound, did not protect 5LO. Since many metal ion binding proteins are susceptible to H2O2 inactivation, this method could be useful also for the stabilization of other proteins.