Background: Acute renal failure (ARF) is a serious clinical problem with high rate of mortality and 
morbidity. Currently used prophylactic and therapeutic strategies to address ARF are limited and 
warrant further studies. In the present study an attempt was made to investigate the effect of 
guanosine against glycerol induced AKI in rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided in to three 
groups. After 24 h of water deprivation rats in group 2 received glycerol once whereas rats in group 1 
served as control. In group 3 rats received intraperitonial injection of guanosine then animals were 
sacrificed, blood and kidney were collected for various biochemical and histopathological studies.
Results: Glycerol treatment produced significant renal structural abnormalities and functional 
impairment (increased urea and creatinine). Guanosine dose dependently attenuated glycerol induced 
structural and functional changes in kidney. Conclusion: The reversal of glycerol induced AKI by 
guanosine points towards a role in improve the pathogenesis of renal injury. The result of this study 
suggests that guanosine may offer an alternative mode of treatment for AKI.