Incorporation of contrast media in cultured cells.

Monolayer cultures of human prostatic (PC-3) and cervical (NHIK 3025) carcinoma cells were grown on formvar film and exposed to moderate concentrations of contrast agents for 30 minutes to 4 hours. After the exposure period, the monolayers were quickly frozen, and cryosections were examined by electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. Iodine was not detected in control cells, but was found in the cells that had been exposed to iodine-containing contrast media. The amount of intracellular iodine increased with increasing exposure dose and time. Because the cells mostly presented no sign of membrane damage, our findings support the view that contrast media have the ability to enter intact cells.