Abstract:
Background: Various antihypertensive drugs could alter peritoneal membrane transports in hypertensive continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. There are no available data regarding the effect of angiotensin ll receptor antagonists in this issue. Objective: To investigate the effect of candesartan, an angiotensin ll receptor antagonists, on peritoneal solute and water clearance in hypertensive CAPD patients. Method: This prospective cross-over study was performed in 7 hypertensive CAPD patients. All previous antihypertensive drugs had been changed to candesartan at the dose of 8-16 mg/day. Patients had received candesartan for 12 weeks then were changed back to the previous antihypertensive drugs for 6 weeks. The modified peritoneal-function-test (PFT) for peritoneal membrane transports was performed at 1) baseline (before candesartan treatment). 2) 6 weeks. 3) 12 weeks following candesartan treatment, and 4) 6 weeks after candesartan withdrawal. Results: Blood pressure was not different among the 4 periods. The albumin clearance and 4-hour albumin loss were significantly decreased following candesartan treatment (p<0.05). Both values returned to the baseline level after candesartan withdrawal. There were no significant changes in other solute transports and net ultrafiltration. No adverse effects had been found. Conclusion: In hypertensive CAPD patients, besides effective antihypertensive action. candesartan could provide nutritional benefit by attenuating peritoneal loss of albumin. Furthermore, candesartan does not alter other solute transports and net ultrafittration.