Effect of iodinated contrast media on neutrophil adhesion to cultured endothelial cells

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of contrast media (CM) on endothelial cells (ECs) with respect to cytotoxicity and to neutrophil adhesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human umbilical vein ECs were incubated with chromium-51-labeled human neutrophils in the presence of CM (diatrizoate, ioxaglate, iopamidol, and iodixanol) in three concentrations: 2, 20, and 50 mg I/mL. CM was compared with glucose solutions prepared from plain, buffered glucose solutions, iso-osmolar to the corresponding CM solution. Neutrophil adhesion to the EC monolayer, EC morphology, and cytotoxicity were evaluated. RESULTS: The effect of CM on neutrophil adhesion was dependent on dose, with increased adhesion at low CM concentrations (2 and 20 mg I/mL) and decreased adhesion at high CM concentration (50 mg I/mL). The response was observed only if ECs and neutrophils were exposed to CM simultaneously in a shared environment. Glucose solutions with the same osmolarity did not show similar effect. Both diatrizoate and ioxaglate had a greater cytotoxic effect on ECs and neutrophils than did iodixanol and iopamidol. CONCLUSION: The altered neutrophil adhesion to ECs may be due to CM-induced cytotoxicity or CM- induced EC activation because the glucose solutions did not cause a similar change at equal osmolality. The lack of cell death, combined with altered neutrophil adhesion implies modulation of cell adhesion molecules by CM. The results could be pertinent to the pathogenesis of peripheral vascular lesions and the endothelial response in immunosuppressed or septic patients receiving CM during imaging studies.