Effects of ACE inhibition on the course of nephropathy in type I diabetes mellitus.

Nephropathy is a severe complication of type I diabetes mellitus. About 25% of all new candidates for renal replacement therapy consist of diabetic patients. Glomerular hyperfiltration is an important causative factor in the development of this nephropathy. Microalbuminuria is the clinical first symptom of glomerular hypertension. New information stresses the importance of angiotensin II. Systemic as well as local reduction of angiotensin II formation can reduce glomerular hyperfiltration. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors should therefore be considered as first anti-hypertensive agents in type I diabetics with microalbuminuria.