Effects of radiographic contrast media on leukocyte phagocytosis.
OBJECTIVE
Differences in leukocyte phagocytosis following exposure to different classes of radiographic contrast media (RCM) may help in the development of less toxic alternatives and be useful as a guide to contrast selection in certain patient groups. The effect of RCM on leukocyte phagocytosis of Escherichia coli was examined.


METHODS
Cell population phagocytosis and individual cell phagocytic activity were assessed in a control group and in samples exposed both to the ionic RCM diatrizoate and ioxaglate and to the nonionic RCM iohexol and iotrolan by using a flow cytometer.


RESULTS
The percentage of granulocytes undergoing phagocytosis was 88.4% in the control population. Following exposure to RCM, this value fell to 79.2% with iohexol, 77.6% with iotrolan, 70.5% with diatrizoate, and 68.7% with ioxaglate. The number of bacteria phagocytosed by active leukocytes was not affected by RCM.


CONCLUSIONS
RCM adversely affect the percentage of granulocytes involved in phagocytosis but not the number of pathogenic bacteria that are phagocytosed by individual granulocytes.
Farrow
R
R
Department of Radiodiagnosis, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, England.
Roobottom
C A
CA
Wells
I P
IP
Hurlock
N
N
D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003973:Diatrizoate / Q000494:pharmacology; D004926:Escherichia coli; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007472:Iohexol / Q000494:pharmacology; D007485:Ioxaglic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology
D003287:Contrast Media; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids; D003973:Diatrizoate; C033300:iotrolan; D007472:Iohexol; D007485:Ioxaglic Acid