Cytotoxic Effects of Nonionic Iodinated Contrast Agent on Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a promising therapy for degenerative spine conditions. However, cell therapy for painful spine degeneration presently requires use of contrast agents during fluoroscopy-guided injections, and the effects of these agents on MSCs represents a gap in knowledge.

To investigate the biological effects of contrast media (CM) that are coinjected with MSCs.

Prospective observational study.

Academic medical center.

Patient-derived clinical-grade culture expanded MSCs.

Iohexol (Omnipaque300) was reduced to 12.5%, 25%, 50%, and 100% of the stock solution and incubated with MSCs for 30 minutes, 4 hours, and 48 hours. We also used complete media and 12.5%, 25%, 50%, 100% of phosphate-buffered saline as a control group.

We examined cytotoxicity of iohexol at different concentrations and exposure duration, as well as the potential for recovery over time. Cell counts, mitochondrial activity, and quantitative real time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction of related genes were analyzed immediately after exposure (day 0) and after 2 days of exposure (day 2).

Human MSCs exhibit a time- and concentration-dependent cytotoxic response to iodinated CM. A brief, 30-minute exposure did not affect MSCs function and viability. However, extended treatment with iohexol for 4 hours at 50% or higher concentration had a significant impact on both viability and gene expression in MSCs.

CM (Omnipaque300) is cytotoxic to MSCs in a time-and concentration-dependent manner. Hence, the concentration of CM that accompanies MSC injections should be carefully considered during MSC therapy for disk-degenerative diseases.

To be determined.