Nephrotoxicity of high- and low-osmolar contrast media - The protective role of amlodipine in a rat model

Purpose: To evaluate the nephrotoxicity of high- and low-osmolar contrast m edia (HOCM, LOCM) on kidneys in Sprague-Dawley rats. The protective role of amlodipine was studied. Material and Methods: Forty rats of both sexes were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=8/group) and glycerine for inducing renal failure was given to a ll rats except controls. Results: In diatrizoate-injected rats, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (SCr) were increased; levels of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)), lip id peroxide (LPO) and calcium were also increased in renal tissues. There w as no significant difference between LOCM (iohexol) animals and glycerol co ntrols either in the renal levels of PLA(2), LPO and calcium or in the leve ls of BUN and SCr. The histologic changes were milder in the LOCM animals t han in the HOCM animals. In the group pretreated with amlodipine, no increa se in the levels of BUN or SCr was discovered and the renal content of PLA( 2), LPO and calcium were significantly lower than in the HOCM group; the re nal injuries induced by diatrizoate were alleviated. Conclusion: The HOCM, diatrizoate, was more toxic to rat kidneys than the L OCM iohexol; PLA(2), LPO and calcium load played a role in producing renal function impairment induced by diatrizoate meglumine; amlodipine protected the renal tissue from nephrotoxicity induced by diatrizoate.