Effect of allopurinol in the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing angioplasty: randomized clinical trial

Allopurinol could decrease the undesirable effects of free radicals and then prevent contrast induced nephropathy (CIN). Therefore, it may be useful for reducing the ischemia-reperfusion induced nephropathy and inhibiting nitric oxide synthesis produced in CIN. This study was performed aimeing to determine the effect of allopurinol in the prevention of CIN in patients undergoing angioplasty.

In this randomized clinical trial, 100 patients (50 cases as the intervention group receiving allopurinol 300 mg one day and one hour before angiography and 50 cases as the control group) were evaluated. CIN was considered if the serum creatinine (SCr) value was increased 25% in relation to its basic value. Additionally, the prevalence of CIN was evaluated.

The case and control groups had CIN 38% and 12%, respectively (P = 0.003). Hyperuricemia was significant indicator of higher CIN rate in the control group (37.5% versus 7.1%) (P = 0.044).

Finally, the administration of allopurinol before procedure might prevent CIN following elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and decrease the rate of CIN.