The role of neutrophils in acute renal failure is controversial. Acute renal failure can clearly occur in the absence of neutrophils. However, recent studies using specific neutrophil markers indicate that neutrophils accumulate in postischemic kidneys. Moreover, reperfusion of ischemic kidneys with neutrophils worsens ischemic injury and causes kidney neutrophil retention. Neutrophil retention is dependent on the state of neutrophil activation and the duration of renal ischemia. This interaction could account for the high frequency of acute renal failure in conditions associated with prolonged prerenal asotemia and neutrophil priming such as the adult respiratory distress syndrome, or sepsis. Neutrophil retention is mediated by interaction of neutrophil integrins and endothelial cell ICAM-1 because maneuvers reducing the expression and/or function of these adhesion molecules is protective in experimental models of ischemia. Nitric oxide is a key modulator of neutrophil worsening of ischemic injury because maneuvers that decrease nitric oxide production worsen and those which increase nitric oxide protect ischemic kidneys from neutrophil effects. The clinical significance of neutrophils may relate to the observation that bioincompatible membranes activate complement, and retard recovery from acute renal failure. In conclusion, neutrophils are an important contributor to ischemic acute renal failure. It remains to be determined whether decreasing neutrophil function accelerates recovery in acute renal failure.