[Clinical study of the month. Nephroprotective role of angiotensin II receptor antagonists in type 2 diabetes: results of the IDNT and RENAAL trials].

Nephropathy associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus is a rising cause of end-stage renal disease and is a major public health problem. If blocking of the renin angiotensin system has a well established nephroprotective effect in type 1 diabetic nephropathy, this remained to be shown for type 2 diabetes. Two large outcome trials using angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARA's) in proteinuric chronic renal impairment and hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients have now closed this gap: the Irbesartan Diabetic Nephropathy Trial (IDNT) and the Reduction of Endpoints in NIDDM with Angiotensin II Antagonist Losartan (RENAAL) trial. Both trials showed a significant reduction in the primary pre-specified end-point of death, or worsening of renal function (doubling of serum creatinine) or the development of end-stage renal disease. This effect goes beyond the reduction in blood pressure and makes of ARA's one of the important tools in the treatment of type 2 diabetic nephropathy.