Age-related decrease in cerebrovascular-derived neuroprotective proteins: Effect of acetaminophen

► Expression of VEGF, PEDF and PACAP decreases with age. ► PEDF and VEGF increase at 18 and 24 months of age in rat brain microvessels. ► Acetaminophen improves oxidative stress-induced decreases in VEGF, PEDF and PACAP. ► Thrombin mediates the effect of acetaminophen on endothelial cell VEGF levels.