Figure 5.

Radiological analysis of gastrointestinal motor function in rats—morphometric and densitometric study. A dose of barium sulfate (3 mL, 2 g/mL) was intragastrically administered at time 0, and X-rays were taken immediately and after 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h from time of administration. Morphometry and densitometry analyses of the stomach (a,b), caecum (c,d), and fecal pellets (e) are shown for the control rats (n = 8) and the rats treated with MEL (4 g/L) (n = 6). Size and density were evaluated using Image J (see text for details). Data represent the mean ± SEM. *** p < 0.001. (Line graphs: Two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post-hoc test. Bar graphs: Student’s t-test).