Pulmonary surface tension after nontoxic experimental pancreatitis.

Injection of saline as well as trypsin into the pancreatic duct of the rat may cause changes in the histology and surface tension of the lung, as well as histological and biochemical evidence of pancreatitis. Nontoxic chemicals also may be the source of pancreatitis and subsequent pulmonary dysfunction. In the research setting, pressure injection into the pancreatic duct may produce systemic effects.