Uricosuric Action of Cholecystographic Agents

Abstract

The oral cholecystographic agents are highly lipid-soluble carboxylic acids. In this respect they resemble probenecid and some other uricosuric agents. Because of continuing case reports of nephrotoxicity of the gallbladder dyes, the possibility was raised that they have a uricosuric action. Ratios of uric acid to creatinine were determined in nine patients undergoing cholecystography with iopanoic acid, and in four during intravenous cholangiography with iodipamide. One volunteer was studied with ipodate. Each of these compounds was found to be uricosuric, with iopanoic acid having a potency approximately equivalent to probenecid. It is strongly recommended that adequate hydration be encouraged as a possible means of decreasing untoward renal complications during radiologic examination. On the basis of the present evidence, the uricosuric action cannot definitely be implicated as the mechanism of nephrotoxicity, but it may be a contributing factor.