Intra-abdominal administration of bevacizumab diminishes intra-peritoneal adhesions

Abstract 

Aim

To determine the effect of a single dose of bevacizumab on adhesion formation in the rat cecum abrasion model.

Methods

The cecum and parietal peritoneum of 38 male Wistar rats were abraded to promote adhesion formation. The rats were randomized into 2 groups: group 1 received bevacizumab (2.5 mg/kg) intraperitoneally, and group 2 received saline. On day 30 animals were killed, adhesions scored, and histopathological samples taken.

Results

There was no wound dehiscence; there were 2 incision hernias (5.3%), 1 per group. Thirty-seven animals developed adhesions (97.4%). Adhesion grade and severity scores were significantly different between groups 1 and 2 at 2.7:1.6 (P = .018) and 3.8:2.7 (P = .007), respectively. There was no difference in adhesion square area (27.7:25.0%; P = .16), location (P = 1.00), or number (2.1:1.3; P = .06). Histopathology confirmed the statistical difference between groups (P = .049), and a highly significant correlation between results was shown (r = .758; P = .0001).

Conclusion

A single dose of intraperitoneal bevacizumab significantly reduces grade and severity of abdominal adhesions in the cecum abrasion rat model.

Keywords: Vascular endothelial growth factor, Adhesion, Postoperative, Peritoneum, Wistar rats, Comparative animal study