Effect of intravenously administered iodipamide ethyl ester particles on rat liver morphology.

The effect of intravenously injected iodipamide ethyl ester (IDE) particles (150 mgI/kg) on the rat liver was studied by light and electron microscopy. IDE particles were phagocytized by Kupffer cells within a few minutes postinjection. After 4 hours particles began to dissolve in the Kupffer cells causing transient morphologic alterations resembling hydropic degeneration. The number of Kupffer cells seemed, however, to be unchanged and were ultrastructurally normal by 17 days postinjection. Hepatocytes contained large lipid droplets from one to four days after IDE injection. No changes were found in the hepatocytes from one week to one year after IDE injection. The fat-storing cells and endothelial cells remained ultrastructurally normal throughout the study.