Transient bevacizumab (avastin)-induced alterations in rat eyes.

AIMS: To study the histopathological, biochemical and functional effects of intravitreal bevacizumab on the rat eye, with special emphasis on its immediate pro-inflammatory features eventually associated with cellular oxidative burden.
METHODS: Histopathological evaluation was performed 24 h, 1 and 4 weeks after bevacizumab (75 microg/rat eye) or saline intravitreal injection, as well as biochemical analysis of oxidative stress-related markers and electroretinograms.
RESULTS: Bevacizumab induces a transient inflammatory reaction together with a modification of the b-wave amplitude and latency of the electroretinogram. No changes were observed in any of the oxidative stress markers studied at any time after injection.
CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab injection per se generates an immediate, transient and mild inflammation of the rat eye, which is not associated with oxidative stress in ocular tissues. Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.