Contrast media and enzyme inhibition. I. Cholinesterase

Abstract

Cholinergic mechanisms, activated by the inhibition of the acetylcholine hydrolyzing enzyme cholinesterase, may be responsible for many of the adverse effects [in mice] of intravascular radiological contrast media [sodium iothalamate iohexol, iopamidol and sodium meglumine ioxaglate]. The relative cholinesterase-inhibiting activities of several conventional and new contrast media were measured and significant differences found. Some of the possible implications of these differences are discussed.