Figure 4.

Fentanyl (FE) treatment started after the induction of necrotizing acute pancreatitis (AP) with sodium taurocholate (NaTc) reduces disease severity. Rats were treated with 0.1 or 0.2 mg/kg FE i.p., whereas the intra-ductal injection of 40 mg/kg NaTc (NaTc +) was used to induce AP. Control animals received physiological saline instead of NaTc (NaTc −) or FE (0 mg/kg). Animals were sacrificed at 16–24 h after the NaTc or physiological saline injection. (A) Representative histopathological images of pancreatic tissues of the treatment groups. Bar charts show the extent of pancreatic (B) necrosis, (C) leukocyte infiltration, (D) edema, and (E) serum amylase activity measurements. Values represent mean with standard error, n = 9–12. Two-way ANOVA was performed followed by the Holm–Sidak post hoc test. * p < 0.05.