Diagnostic agents-used to detect impaired function of the body organs OR to detect abnormalities in tissue structure a) Water soluble contrast media eg. phosphate or citrate buffer b) Water insoluble contrast media eg. Propyliodone, Iopanoic acid. To test kidney function eg. Indigotindisulphonate (Indigo carmine) b) To test liver function eg. Sulphobromophthalein Sodium. c) Miscellaneous eg. Florescein Sodium, Evens blue, Congo red.

1. Presentation on
Presentation By
D. B. Somavanshi
[Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Department ]
SVS INSTITUTE OF PHARMACY, MUNGSE

2. 2. Agent used to test organ functions:-
a) To test kidney function eg. Indigotindisulphonate (Indigo carmine)
b) To test liver function eg. Sulphobromophthalein Sodium.
c) Miscellaneous eg. Florescein Sodium, Evens blue, Congo red.
This are the compound used to detect impaired function of the
body organs OR to detect abnormalities in tissue structure.
These are thus useful in clinical diagnosis of disease.
 They have no therapeutic value.
The Diagnostic agents are classifiable as follow :
1. Radiopaques ( X- ray contrast media):-
a) Water soluble contrast media
eg. phosphate or citrate buffer
b) Water insoluble contrast media
eg. Propyliodone, Iopanoic acid.

3. The agent are given orally or i.v. They are
used to:
a) In uroghraphy – To examine kidney
b) In Cholecyctography – To examine gall bladder
c) In Roentgenography – To visualise parts of body like alimentary
canal, urinary tract, Biliary tract, Blood vessel, etc.
the agents are introduced by
mechanical means.
eg. introduced by catheter into urinary tract through urethral orifice.
1. Radiopaques ( X- ray contrast media):-
Radiopaque agents have an ability to absorb X-rays i.e. Opaque
to X-ray radiation.Hence they produce lighter or whiter shadow on
X-ray film.
In 1924, Iodine was observed to be opaque to X-ray. But inorganic
iodine compound which are ionised that is they are toxic. So
iodinated organic compound are used because they are less toxic.
Iodinated organic compounds are administered by two ways:
1. In systemic procedure-
2. In Retrograde procedure –

4. a) Water soluble contrast media:-
Contain pharmaceutical buffer like phosphate or citrate buffer &
sequestering agent.
They are mainly used for urography (examination of ureter kidney)
and angiography ( examination of arterial system)
b) Water insoluble contrast media:-
Agents are practically insoluble in water and hence their suspension
are prepared. eg.Propyliodone, Iopanoic acid.
They are mainly used for cholecystography (examination of liver,
gall bladder) and Bronchography (examination of bronchial tract)

5. PROPYLIODONE :-
Chemistry:-It is propyl acetate derivative in which
hydrogen of Alpha carbon atom is replaced by
3,5-diodo,4-oxo,1,4-dihydropyridine-1-yl group.
Properties:- White crystalline powder, odourless.
It is slightly soluble in water.
When it is heated with conc. Sulphuric acid, violet
vapours of iodine are evolved.
Storage- Store in well closed, light resistance containers.
Uses - It is a contrast media used in bronchography.
IOPANOIC ACID :-
Chemistry:- It is butyric acid derivative in which H atom of carbon is
replaced by 3-amino,2,4,6-tri-iodo benzyl group.
Properties- White coloured powder, odourless, tasteless.
When it is heated strongly, violet vapour of iodine are
produced. Due to presence of aromatic primary amino
group, it undergoes diazotization and coupling reaction to
give deep orange red ppt.
Storage- Store in well closed, light resistance containers.
Uses- It is a contrast media used in radiography of gall
bladder.

6. Points SULPHOBR
OMOPHTH
ALEIN
SODIUM
INDIGOTINDISU
LPHONATE
(INDIGO
CARMINE)
EVANS
BLUE
(AZOVAN
BLUE)
CONGO
RED
FLUORESCEIN
SODIUM
State Solid Solid Solid Solid Solid
Colour White Purpulish blue bluish green
or brown
Reddish
brown
Orange red
Odour Odurless Odurless Odurless Odurless Odurless
Taste Bitter taste - - - Tasteless
Solubility Soluble in
water,
insoluble in
alcohol
Sparingly soluble in
water
Soluble in
water,
insoluble in
alcohol
soluble in
water
soluble in water
S & S S I W C L R
C
S I W C L R C S I W C L R C S I W C L
R C
S I W C L R C
Uses To test
functional
capacity of
liver.
To test kidney
function
To localised ureteral
catheterisation
To identify severe
ureter fistulous
communications.
To determine
Blood
volume.
To detect
Amyloido
sis
(Depositio
n of
amyloid
in tissue)
To detecting lesions
& forein bodies.
For investigation of
circulatory disorders
For differentiation
of normal and
malignant tissue

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