Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a feared complication of recanalization for acute ischemic stroke, and there is no effective solution. Studies have suggested that the iron chelator, Deferoxamine (DFX), can attenuate HT in a rat model of HT. We established a HT rat model by middle cerebral artery occlusion with reperfusion. In HT rats, DFX reduced the extent of brain damage, protected the blood-brain barrier, and reduced the levels of expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3. © 2014 WIT Press.