Short-Term Effects of Iodinated Radiographic Contrast Media on Red Blood Cells: Morphology, Osmotic fragility, and Hemolysis

Iodinated radiographic contrast media (IRCM) is currently being used in radiography for disease diagnosis. The aim of the present study was to examine three IRCMs (i.e., iohexol, iopamidol, and iodixanol) in terms of their impact on morphology, osmotic fragility, and hemolysis of red blood cells. Blood was shortly treated with IRCMs (1, 5, 10, and 50 mgI/ml) at 37 °C for 5 minutes. The morphology of red blood cells was then observed under a light microscope and the number of burr cells (echinocytes) was recorded. The osmotic fragility and hemolysis of red blood cells were determined by using spectrophotometric technique. The results showed no statistically significant change in the number of burr cells, osmotic fragility, and hemolysis of red blood cells after an in vitro exposure to various concentrations of IRCMs when compared to the corresponding non-exposed control groups. These findings suggested that iohexol, iopamidol, and iodixanol did not exhibit any short-term effects on morphology, osmotic fragility, and hemolysis of red blood cells.