Critical care : the official journal of the Critical Care Forum
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Severe sepsis is associated with an unacceptably high rate of mortality. Recent studies revealed elevated levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent angiogenic and vascular permeability factor, in patients with sepsis. There was also an association between VEGF levels and sepsis severity. Here we investigate the effects of an anti-VEGF antibody (Bevacizumab, Bev) in an experimental model of sepsis. ⋯ Anti-VEGF antibody may be a promising therapeutic agent due to its beneficial effects on the survival of sepsis by decreasing inflammatory responses and endothelial permeability.