Effect of elevated C1-esterase inhibitor concentrations on white blood cell-endothelium interactions: a potential mechanism for steroid protection in contrast material reactions.

Purified human C1-esterase inhibitor (C1INH) infused into the circulation of rabbits caused an immediate drop in white blood cell (WBC) count and, simultaneously, a marked decrease in WBC adhesion to the endothelium in the microcirculation. Infusion of iodipamide caused a marked "carpeting" of the venous endothelium by WBC, and this condition was reversed by subsequent infusion of C1INH. The relationship of elevated C1INH to the protective effect of prednisolone on iodipamide toxicity in the rabbit is discussed.