This study was undertaken to examine the effect of amino acids on anoxia-induced cell injury in rabbit renal cortical slices. In order to induce anoxic cell injury, slices were exposed to a 100% $N_2$ atmosphere and control slices were exposed to 100% $O^2$. Irreversible cell injury was estimated by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and alterations in renal cell function were examined by measuring p-aminohippurate (PAH) uptake. Anoxia caused the increase in LDH release in a time-dependent manner. Glycine and glutathione almost completely prevented anoxia-induced LDH release. Of amino acids tested, glycine and alanine exerted the protective effect against anoxia-induced cell injury. However, asparagine with amide side chain, leucine and valine with hydrocarbon side chain, and basic amino acids (lysine, histidine, and arginine) were not effective. Anoxia-induced inhibition of PAM uptake was prevented by glycine. ATP content was decreased by anoxia, which was not affected by glycine. Anoxia-induced depletion of glutathione was significantly prevented by glycine. These results suggest that neutral amino acids with simple structure exert the Protective effect against anoxia-induced cell injury the involvement of specific interaction of amino acids and cell structure.