Because of the importance of the renin-angiotensin system in the pathophysiology of hypertension and in mediating associated alterations in renal function, angiotensin II (Ang II) AT1 receptor blockers provide a direct means of protecting against influences of excessive Ang II levels. The kidney is an important site of action of Ang II AT1 receptor blockers because intrarenal Ang II not only vasoconstricts the renal vasculature but also reduces sodium excretion and suppresses the pressure natriuresis relationship. Even in normal conditions, intrarenal Ang II content is greater than can be explained on the basis of circulating Ang II and is compartmentalized with proximal tubule concentrations of Ang I and Ang II being several times higher than plasma concentrations. The localization of angiotensinogen in proximal tubule cells further supports the concept that the proximal tubule secretes Ang II or precursors of Ang II into the tubular fluid to activate luminal Ang II receptors. Recent immunohistochemical studies have demonstrated an abundance of AT1 receptors on the luminal surface of proximal and distal tubule cells as well as on vascular smooth muscle cells of afferent and efferent arterioles and on glomerular mesangial cells. Activation of luminal AT1 receptors stimulates the sodium hydrogen exchanger and increases reabsorption rate. The prominence of AT1 receptors in vascular and epithelial tissues in the kidney provides the basis for the powerful effects of AT1 receptor blockers on renal function especially in hypertensive conditions. In the two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) Goldblatt hypertensive rat model, the nonclipped kidney is renin depleted but the intrarenal Ang II levels are not suppressed and Ang II concentrations in proximal tubular fluid remain high (10(-8) mol/L). AT1 receptor blockers such as candesartan have been shown to cause significant increases in glomerular filtration rate, renal blood flow and proportionately much greater increases in sodium excretion and fractional sodium excretion. Ang II blockade also markedly increases the slope of the pressure natriuresis relationship. The collective actions of Ang II blockers on tubular transport and renal hemodynamics provide long-term effects to regulate sodium balance, which contributes to the long-term control of hypertension.