Oxidant stress due to non ionic low osmolar contrast medium in rat kidney.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Contrast media may cause contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in risk group. This study was taken up to establish possible effects of non ionic low osmolar contrast medium administration on oxidant/antioxidant status and nitric oxide (NO) levels in rat kidney tissues. METHODS Fourteen female, 14 wk old Wistar-albino rats were divided into 2 groups of 7 rats each (control and contrast groups). Non ionic low osmolar contrast medium was administered iv to the animals in the contrast group. The day after, animals were sacrificed and malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO levels and activities of antioxidant [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT)] and oxidant [xanthine oxidase (XO)] enzymes were measured in kidney tissues. Serum creatinine levels were measured to evaluate kidney functions. RESULTS Contrast medium administration caused an increase in MDA levels and a decrease in NO levels in kidney tissues. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that non ionic low osmolar contrast medium administration leads to accelerated oxidant reactions and decreased NO level in rat kidney tissues. Further studies need to be done to assess the role of these changes in CIN.