Contrast media as markers for glomerular filtration: a pharmacokinetic comparison of four agents

In this study methods for the assay of the iodine-containing radiographic contrast agents metrizoate, amidotrizoate and iothalamate found in serum and urine have been developed. The method involved reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography with spectrophotometric detection. This technique was used to compare the clearance of these agents, in a group of healthy female volunteers, after a single small-dose injection (5 ml, 2275-3235 mg). In the period 0-4 h after injection, serum elimination was approximated by a two-compartment model. However, a full description of drug fate in the body required at least three compartments. Plasma clearance was significantly different between agents with means of 191, 130, 144 and 121 ml/min for metrizoate, amidotrizoate, iothalamate and iohexol, respectively, whereas no difference was found between the renal/plasma clearance ratio. Protein binding measured with equilibrium dialysis did not suggest binding to serum proteins by any of these agents irrespective of concentration.