Conditioned Taste Aversion in Rats following Intrathecal Administration of Contrast Media

Abstract

The occurrence of side-effects such as visceral malaise after intrathecal administration of the non-ionic radiography contrast media iomeprol, iopamidol, and iotrolan was assessed in rats by the conditioned tasted aversion procedure. Reduced preference towards a saccharose solution compared with normal water following intraventricular administration of a contrast medium was used as a measure of the aversive response. At a dose of 100 mg I/kg none of the tested contrast media induced aversion. At 200 and 300 mg I/kg, both iopamidol and iomeprol induced significant aversive responses with respect to control, although the response of the iomeprol group appeared milder than that of the iopamidol group at a dose of 200 mg I/kg. Iotrolan could be tested only at the lowest dose since the high doses caused excessive mortality. Intrathecally administered iomeprol appeared to be well tolerated in rats at doses higher than those suggested for clinical use.