Abstract
Acute renal failure presents a serious and life-threatening problem in hospitalized patients. Current therapies address the systemic alterations in renal failure. Cellular changes also occur. These changes affect the glomerular filtration rate and the integrity of the glomerular membrane. ET-1, the most potent vasoconstrictor known, has a negative effect on both the rate of filtration and the integrity of the filtering membrane in renal failure. Using ET-1 antagonists along with the current therapies may prove useful in patients.