Influence of radiographic contrast media (iodixanol und iomeprol) on the morphology of human arterial and venous endothelial cells on extracellular matrix in vitro.

After intra-arterial administration of radiographic contrast media (RCM), a disorder of the downstream microcirculation both with regard to blood flow velocity in microvessels and to tissue oxygen partial pressure was described. Possible factors contributing to this microcirculatory disorder are increase in plasma viscosity, a formation of echinocytes, a buckling and denudation of endothelial cells, and a disturbation of endothelial prostacyclin release. It is not known so far whether the reactions observed in the context of RCM applications are reactions of venous endothelial cells alone or also of arterial endothelial cells. Therefore, arterial ECs on ECM were exposed to the same RCMs under identical conditions. The decrease of cell-cell contacts with an increase of denuded subendothelial matrix areas in the functionally confluent endothelial cell layer on ECM were more pronounced after a five minute exposure of endothelial cells to Iomeprol compared to Iodixanol. Changes in arterial ECs after the incubation in culture media supplemented with RCM were very subtle in comparison to changes in venous ECs.