NONIONIC CONTRAST AGENTS PRODUCE THROMBOTIC EFFECT BY INDUCING ADHESION OF LEUKOCYTES ON HUMAN ENDOTHELIUM

The expression of P-selectin was more upregulated following the exposu re to nonionic low osmolar contrast agents than to ionic contrast agen ts. Exposure to nonionic contrast agents led to marked adhesion of leu kocytes to endothelial cells. Thrombomodulin activity of endothelial c ells was decreased, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha in the supernatant were increased wh en leukocyte adhesion occurred after exposure to nonionic contrast age nts. Results suggest that the adhesion of leukocytes to the endotheliu m increases procoagulant activity. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.