Ethiodol oil contrast medium inhibits macrophage phagocytosis and adherence by altering membrane electronegativity and microviscosity.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of Ethiodol oil-soluble contrast medium and Sinografin aqueous-soluble contrast medium on macrophage function. After the observation that Ethiodol alters macrophage phagocytosis and adherence, we sought to determine the mechanism of action by which oil-soluble contrast medium alters the macrophage membrane.


METHODS
The P388D1 cell line was used as a consistent source of macrophages for all experiments. The uptake of 3H-labeled candida albicans was determined in macrophages exposed to 1:100, 1:400, or 1:800 dilutions of Ethiodol, Sinografin (S.R. Squibb, Princeton, NJ) or untreated media. To evaluate the macrophage adherence, 51Cr-labeled macrophages were exposed to the same dilutions of the contrast media. Specific membrane properties, Fc receptor levels, electronegativity, and microviscosity were assessed by flow cytometry after exposure to 1:100 dilutions of Ethiodol or Sinografin.


RESULTS
Macrophage phagocytosis was decreased upon exposure to 1:100 and 1:400 dilutions of Ethiodol contrast medium, whereas adherence was reduced at the 1:100 dilution of Ethiodol. There was no effect of any dilution of Sinografin. There was a reduction in membrane electronegativity and microviscosity, but not Fc receptor levels, after exposure to a 1:100 dilution of Ethiodol.


CONCLUSIONS
This study establishes a decrease in macrophage phagocytosis and adherence after exposure to Ethiodol oil-soluble contrast medium. We established that this alteration in membrane function is caused by a reduction of membrane negative surface charge and microviscosity. This may suggest a mechanism of action for the therapeutic effect of oil-contrast hysterosalpingograms in women with unexplained infertility.
Johnson
J V
JV
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas.
Montoya
I A
IA
Olive
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DL
D000818:Animals; D002176:Candida albicans; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004563:Electrochemistry; D004998:Ethiodized Oil / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D014783:Viscosity
D003287:Contrast Media; D004998:Ethiodized Oil