Iodixanol as a Gastrointestinal Contrast Media in the New Zealand White Rabbit

Determination of normal gastric emptying time and small intestinal transit time are useful in detecting gastrointestinal motility disorders and partial obstructions of the pylorus or small intestine. This study was conducted to evaluate iodixanol as a contrast agent in the gastrointestinal tract in New Zealand White rabbit. Twelve clinically healthy adult rabbits were prepared and kept for two weeks prior to study. Blood tests were performed 10 days prior to the study. After eighteen hour fasting, plain lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs were obtained. One thousand mg iodine per kilogram body weight of iodixanol was administered orally to the rabbits. Lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs were taken at zero, 10, 20 and 30 minutes after administration of contrast media and then in 30 minutes intervals  until eight hours after swallowing , and then at nine, 10, 12and 24 hours. Blood tests were performed 5 days after the study. Contrast medium was noted in the small intestine immediately after administration in two of the twelve (16.66%) rabbits. Early gastric emptying time was started at 8.17±5.45 minutes. Delay gastric emptying time was started at 317.50±36.93 minutes. Early small intestine transit time was started at 59.00±15.54 minutes. Delay small intestine transit time was started at 476.00±37.14 minutes. Because of coprophagia there was some evidence of contrast media in stomach in twenty forth hour radiographs. It is concluded that this iodixanol gave a diagnostic opacification of upper gastrointestinal tract in rabbit.