Traumatic brain injury (TBI) disrupts the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
Vascular endothelial growth factor (
VEGF) is believed to play a key role in TBI and to be overexpressed in the absence of
apolipoprotein E (
ApoE).
Bevacizumab, a
VEGF inhibitor, demonstrated neuroprotective activity in several models of TBI. However, the effects of
bevacizumab on
Apo-E deficient mice are not well studied. The present study aimed to evaluate
VEGF expression and the effects of
bevacizumab on BBB and
neuroinflammation in
ApoE-/- mice undergoing TBI. Furthermore, for the first time, this study evaluates the effects of
bevacizumab on the long-term consequences of TBI, such as
atherosclerosis. The results showed that motor deficits induced by controlled cortical impact (CCI) were accompanied by increased
brain edema and
VEGF expression. Treatment with
bevacizumab significantly improved motor deficits and significantly decreased
VEGF levels, as well as
brain edema compared to the control group. Furthermore, the results showed that
bevacizumab preserves the integrity of the BBB and reduces the
neuroinflammation induced by TBI. Regarding the effects of
bevacizumab on
atherosclerosis, it was observed for the first time that its ability to modulate
VEGF in the acute phase of
head injury prevents the acceleration of
atherosclerosis. Therefore, the present study demonstrates not only the neuroprotective activity of
bevacizumab but also its action on the vascular consequences related to TBI.