Treatment with the iron chelator, deferoxamine mesylate, alters serum markers of oxidative stress in stroke patients.

The iron chelator, deferoxamine mesylate (DFO), has shown neuroprotective effects, mediated via suppression of iron-induced hydroxyl radical formation, in various animal models of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate whether DFO can exert similar actions in stroke patients, by examining the effects of treatment with DFO on biological markers of oxidative stress, namely serum total hydroperoxides and lipoperoxides and total radical trapping antioxidant capacity (TRAP), in stroke patients. We found that serum levels of peroxides were reduced, and TRAP levels increased after a 3-day treatment with DFO (500 mg). These findings provide a preliminary proof of concept that DFO can exert potential antioxidant neuroprotective effects in stroke patients. Future, larger-scale, randomized, and controlled studies to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of DFO in patients with stroke are warranted.