In the present study the effects of deferoxamine on tissue lactate and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels after cerebral ischemia in rabbits was studied. Rabbits were divided equally into three groups: group 1: sham-operated group; group 2: cerebral ischemia produced by clamping bilateral common carotid arteries for 60 min; and group 3: deferoxamine 100 mg/kg i.v. administered within 5 min after opening the clamps. EEG recordings were obtained in all groups before clamping and in group 2 and 3 60 min after clamping and 60 min after opening the clamps. One hour after opening the clamps and taking EEG recordings, brain cortices were resected and the concentrations of lactate and MDA were determined using the spectrophotometric enzymatic and thiobarbituric acid methods, respectively. There were significant differences between group 1 and the other groups in MDA and lactate levels (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in lactate levels between groups 2 and 3. Preischemic EEG grades were the same in all groups. Preischemic and postischemic EEG values were significantly different (p < 0.05), but there were no significant differences between postischemic EEG grades in groups 2 and 3. There was also a correlation between postischemic EEG grades and lactate levels, but no correlation between postischemic EEG grades and MDA levels. These results demonstrate that cerebral ischemia leads to an increase in brain tissue lactate and MDA levels and deferoxamine supresses the increase of MDA, but not lactate. Deferoxamine treatment caused no significant EEG changes. EEG grades correlated well with lactate levels. © 2003 Prous Science. All rights reserved.