Steroids: theoretical and experimental basis for utilization in prevention of contrast media reactions.

In vitro and in vivo studies were done to examine the effects of methylprednisolone on the adverse reactions induced by contrast media. At very high concentrations, the steroid potentiated the complement-activating effect produced in vitro by iodipamide, but inhibited the immune and nonimmune mechanisms of hemolysis. Rabbits pretreated for 3 days with intramuscular methylprednisolone (at high or low dosages) were significantly protected against an LD47 challenging dose of iodipamide. Those treated once with a low intravenous dose immediately prior to iodipamide challenge were protected to a lesser degree. Rabbits treated once with a very high intravenous dose of steroid evidenced no protection. A hyper-responsive dog was consistently protected against adverse reactions to injected sodium iothalamate by a 3-day steroid pretreatment.