Background: This study was aimed at examining the effects of radiocontrast agents on selected membrane transport functions.
Methods: The effect of diatrizoate sodium (DS), diatrizoate meglumine (DM), and diatrizoate compound (DC) on Na+/K+ pump activity and number, L-arginine, and choline transports were evaluated in erythrocytes of normal individuals and patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.
Results: Norrmal individuals' erythrocytes potassium influxes were 1.50+/-0.35, 1.32+/-0.37, 1.28+/-0.30, and 1.01+/-0.25 mmol/L cell/h in control, DS, DM, and DC groups, respectively (P=0.004; DC vs. control). Patients exposure to Hypaque M-76 significantly diminished Na+/K+ pump activity (1.40+/-0.36 before, vs. 1.27+/-0.40 mmol/L cell/h after; P=0.039). The number of Na+/K+ pumps was reduced (156+/-36 vs. 143+/-34 pumps/erythrocyte; P=0.015) in presence of DS. L-arginine and choline transports changed only at high radiocontrast concentrations.
Conclusion: Selective changes in erythrocytes membrane transport function take place on exposure to radiocontrasts.