Low sodium diet, indomethacin, and contrast media. A comparison between renal effects of diatrizoate and iohexol in rats.

Urine profiles were followed for 3 or 9 days after intravenous injection of diatrizoate, iohexol, or saline in 30 adult Wistar rats, which received a low sodium diet for 14 days, and indomethacin intravenously 2 hours and immediately before contrast medium or saline injection. A control group of 10 rats, which also received low sodium diet, got saline alone and no indomethacin or contrast medium. Diatrizoate increased albuminuria during the first 22 hours after its injection whereas iohexol did not have any significant effect on albuminuria. Both contrast media caused tubular dysfunction, but there was significant difference between them during the first 2 hours after injection. Compared to the effect of saline, iohexol but not diatrizoate caused increased excretion of lactate dehydrogenase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase for 2 days. Iodine measurements showed delayed excretion of both media. Light microscopy showed focal location of dilated tubular profiles with hydrophia, which were only present in kidneys exposed to contrast media. It is concluded that in rats fed on a low sodium diet administration of indomethacin in relation to iohexol has a greater tubular cell effect than diatrizoate, which in turn has a greater effect on the glomerular permeability. The excretion of both media is delayed.