Background; Candesartan cilexteil (AT1 blocker) was proved to have nephro-protective effect in chronic renal failure. This work aims to evaluate the effect of this drug in experimental acute renal failure induced by dehydration and glycerol.

Design; Candesartan (5mg/kg/day orally) was given in a prophylactic regimen started 4 days before dehydration and in a curative regimen started in the day after glycerol injection. The kidney function parameters (serum urea and creatinine) and Histopathological changes using light and electron microscope were compared to normal control group and uraemic group (subjected to 1 day dehydration then I.M. injection of glycerol lOmg/kg). All groups were* sacrificed eight days after glycerol or saline (in normal control group) injection.
Results and conclusion;
Condesarta cilexetil improved significantly serum urea (19.9%) and creatinine (57%) compared to ureamic (dehydration - glycerol) group when given in a prophylactic regimen. This improvement was also detected by using light and electron microscopic histopathological studies. In a curative regimen, Candesartan failed to show statistically significant improvement. Thus, Candesartan may be able to prevent renal injury induced by dehydration and glycerol but it was unable to reverse this injury when start to be given 1 day after glycerol.