Background:

Ioversol is a nonionic iodinated contrast agent.

Ioversol (100 mg iodine/ml) exposure induces significantly increased lactate dehydrogenase release and decreased 3-(4,5-dimethyldiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide conversion in NRK-52E cells. Ioversol significantly increases apoptosis and caspase-3 protein expression in the NRK-52E cells exposed to ioversol for 4 h. Ioversol treatment induces a significant increase in [Ca2+]i and intracellular ROS[1].

In comparison with iothalamate, ioversol has a greatly reduced propensity to stimulate the release of endothelin, from cultured cells and when injected into anesthetized rats. Ioversol produces less renal vasoconstriction than does iothalamate, in control and in USIC rats, and the development of radiocontrast nephropathy, assessed by creatinine clearance and morphologic damage to the renal medulla, is largely avoided[2].

[1]. Yang D, et al. Selective inhibition of the reverse mode of Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger attenuates contrast-induced cell injury. Am J Nephrol. 2013;37(3):264-73. doi: 10.1159/000348526. Epub 2013 Mar 13. [2]. Heyman SN, et al. Effects of ioversol versus iothalamate on endothelin release and radiocontrast nephropathy. Invest Radiol. 1993 Apr;28(4):313-8.