To evaluate the effects of thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) on acute pancreatitis (AP)-induced lung injury in a rat model. Materials and methods: A total of 24 rats were divided into 3 groups: the control group (n = 8; pancreatitis), the bupivacaine group (n = 8; pancreatitis + 20 µL/h 0.5% bupivacaine), and the saline group (n = 8, pancreatitis + 20 µL/h saline). Pancreatitis was induced by 4 intraperitoneal injections of 50 µg/kg cerulein. At 24 h, blood was collected for determination of amylase, blood gas, tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1b; lung samples were collected for the measurement of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) concentrations and for immunohistochemical examinations, apoptosis determination, and wet/dry ratio determinations. Pancreas samples were collected for the histological investigation to confirm AP. Results: Serum amylase decreased significantly in the bupivacaine group when compared to the control and saline groups. Bupivacaine showed a significant decrease in the TNF-a and IL-1b concentrations and an increase in the GPx and SOD concentrations compared to both the saline and control groups. The wet/dry ratio showed a significant difference between the control and bupivacaine groups. Bupivacaine significantly decreased the injury score, apoptosis, and ICAM-1 secretion in the lung tissue. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that TEA with bupivacaine decreased the systemic inflammation and lung injury due to AP.

To evaluate the effects of thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) on acute pancreatitis (AP)-induced lung injury in a rat model. Materials and methods: A total of 24 rats were divided into 3 groups: the control group (n = 8; pancreatitis), the bupivacaine group (n = 8; pancreatitis + 20 µL/h 0.5% bupivacaine), and the saline group (n = 8, pancreatitis + 20 µL/h saline). Pancreatitis was induced by 4 intraperitoneal injections of 50 µg/kg cerulein. At 24 h, blood was collected for determination of amylase, blood gas, tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1b; lung samples were collected for the measurement of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) concentrations and for immunohistochemical examinations, apoptosis determination, and wet/dry ratio determinations. Pancreas samples were collected for the histological investigation to confirm AP. Results: Serum amylase decreased significantly in the bupivacaine group when compared to the control and saline groups. Bupivacaine showed a significant decrease in the TNF-a and IL-1b concentrations and an increase in the GPx and SOD concentrations compared to both the saline and control groups. The wet/dry ratio showed a significant difference between the control and bupivacaine groups. Bupivacaine significantly decreased the injury score, apoptosis, and ICAM-1 secretion in the lung tissue. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that TEA with bupivacaine decreased the systemic inflammation and lung injury due to AP.