Urine profiles following intravenous diatrizoate, iohexol, or ioxilan in rats.

The effects of intravenous diatrizoate, iohexol, ioxilan, or saline on albumin, glucose, sodium and the enzymes N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and L-gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in the urine of 24 normal Wistar rats were followed for seven days. During the first two hours after administration of diatrizoate, all profile components changed markedly; the albumin excretion was significantly greater than following ioxilan and iohexol; glucose, LDH, and GGT excretions were significantly greater than following ioxilan. Iohexol and ioxilan caused a higher excretion of albumin, LDH, and GGT than saline. Iohexol also increased glucose and sodium levels. Glucose and GGT were significantly higher following iohexol than following ioxilan. Both high osmolar and low osmolar contrast media may cause temporary glomerular and tubular damage. Urine profile components are affected most by diatrizoate, less by iohexol, and least by ioxilan.