[Comparative pharmacokinetics and renal accumulation of the iodized contrast media: ioxitalamic acid, ioxaglic acid and iohexol in the rabbit].

Male and female rabbits were given a I.V. bolus injection of a single 5 ml/kg dose of either ioxitalamic acid, ioxaglic acid or iohexol. Animals were killed 2 hours, 8 hours and 24 hours after the injection. One group of animals received a continuous I.V. infusion of contrast agent at a constant rate of 2.5 ml/kg/hour of four hours. Animals were killed 30 minutes after the end of the infusion. Plasma and tissue concentrations of contrast agents were assayed using an HPLC method. A pharmacokinetic study was performed after the I.V. bolus injection. This study shows that: 1) Plasma elimination half-lives were identical in males and in females as well as for all three products. This half life is about 45 minutes. The distribution volume was identical in male and females as well as for all three products and was comprised between 20% and 26% of body weight. 2) For all three contrast agents, the renal cortical concentrations are higher than in the medulla or the papilla at all the observation times. The renal cortical accumulation of contrast agents is persistent in comparison to plasma concentrations. 3) Ionic and lipophilic properties of contrast agents seem to play an important role on the renal accumulation pattern.