The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of benidipine on renal function and whether benidipine may dilate the efferent arteriole as well as the afferent arteriole of the canine kidney. The effects of benidipine on the renal segmental vascular resistance were estimated using Gomez's formula with some modification. The renal hemodynamic action of benidipine was also compared with that of amlodipine. Intrarenal arterial injection of benidipine at a dose of 3 microg/kg resulted in a significant increase in renal blood flow (RBF), urine flow and urinary excretion of sodium, but not in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Amlodipine at a dose of 300 microg/kg also increased RBF, urine flow and urinary excretion of sodium to a significant degree equivalent to that by benidipine. However, in contrast to benidipine, amlodipine significantly increased GFR. After the administration of benidipine, autoregulation of RBF and GFR was relatively maintained and the renal perfusion pressure (RPP)-RBF relation shifted upward; that is, RBFs at 75 and 50 mmHg were maintained at a higher level than those of the control. In contrast to benidipine, amlodipine diminished the autoregulation of RBF and GFR. RBFs at 75 and 50 mmHg were not different from those of the control. The afferent and efferent arteriolar resistance (Ra and Re) were calculated based on the RPP-RBF and RPP-GFR relations. Benidipine reduced both Ra and Re, but amlodipine selectively reduced Ra. Benidipine increased RBF but not GFR via the dilation of both afferent and efferent arterioles. Thus, benidipine has unique renal hemodynamic actions which differ from those by most calcium antagonists.