Background: Bevacizumab is a chemotherapeutic drug, which selectively binds to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and mainly inhibits angiogenesis and neovascularization. We aimed to study the possible effects of bevacizumab on right ventricular pressure (RVP), right ventricular hypertrophy, and VEGF, in hypoxia - induced pulmonary hypertension (PH) rat model.
Methods: 24 adult Wistar Albino rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group - saline; Bevacizumab Group; PH Group; PH + Bevacizumab Group. In hypoxia - induced model, 10% oxygen and 90% nitrogen were applied in a plexiglas box for eight days to PH Group and PH + Bevacizumab Group. On day eight, RVPs were measured directly from the heart, and then animals were sacrificed. Heart and lung tissues were examined, and Fulton index was measured.
Results: RVP, Fulton index, and tissue VEGF scores were significantly lower in PH + Bevacizumab group than PH group: median (ranges), RVP, mmHg, 37.8 (33.0-39.0) and 32.3 (28.0-35.0), p: 0.01; Fulton index: 0.30 (0.29-0.33) and 0.25 (0.24-0.26), p: 0.003; tissue VEGF scores: 5.1 (4.8-5.3) and 4.0 (3.8 4.1), p: 0.004, respectively.
Discussion: Bevacizumab, which is indeed an antineoplastic agent, might have a favorable effect on hypoxia - induced pulmonary hypertension.
Keywords: Hypertension; bevacizumab; hypoxia; pulmonary.