Objective        To determine the effect of different doses of valsartan on the blood pressure and blood pressure variability in diabetic nephropathy patients undergoing hemodialysis.        Methods       A total of 54 patients diagnosed diabetic nephropathy (chronic renal failure uremia peri

od) in our department from December 2006 to June 2012 were recruited in this study. They were 28 males and 26 females. These subjects come from the hemodialysis room of our hospital. All the patients were randomly divided into 2 groups

80 mg valsartan was served at early morning meal in one group (n=25) and 160 mg valsartan in another group (n=29). We analyzed the 24 h ambulatory blood pressure and related laboratory index of 2 groups before the treatment and after 12 weeks treatment.        Results       After 12 weeks of treatment

the blood pressure

blood pressure variability and 24 h urinary protein levels were significantly lower than before in the both groups (P0.05)

the valsartan 160 mg treatment group decreased more significantly than valsartan 80 mg treatment group in night systolic blood pressure (nSBP

124.76±7.64 vs 138.57±10.98 mmHg)

night diastolic blood pressure (nDBP

74.45±7.25 vs 79.86±7.08 mmHg)

night systolic blood pressure variability (nSBPV

0.069 8±0.011 3 vs 0.074 6±0.012 5)

night diastolic blood pressure variability (nDBPV

0.085 7±0.009 4 vs 0.095 2±0.008 9) and 24 h urinary protein level (1.08±0.39 vs 1.65±0.52 g ) (all

P

0.05).        Conclusion       Higher dose (160 mg) valsartan exerts more significant effect on the control of blood pressure and blood pressure variability

and is superior to 80 mg valsartan in kidney protection in the treatment of diabetes nephritis undergoing hemodialysis.