Beneficial impact on cardiovascular risk factors by dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin system in diabetic nephropathy.
BACKGROUND
Patients with diabetic nephropathy have a high risk of cardiovascular disease and end-stage renal disease. Dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) with both ACE inhibitors (ACE-I) and angiotensin II receptor blockers may offer therapeutic advantages.


METHODS
Based on three double-blind randomized cross-over trials, we analyzed the short-term effects of dual blockade of the RAS on cardiovascular surrogate end points in 51 type 1 diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy.


RESULTS
Compared to ACE-I, dual blockade of the RAS decreased albuminuria 37% from 558 mg/24 hour, and lowered 24-hour blood pressure 7/5 mm Hg from 137/76 mm Hg (P < 0.01). In addition, dual blockade lowered total and LDL-cholesterol 0.3 from 5.4 mmol/L and 3.1 mmol/L, respectively (P < or = 0.01). The antialbuminuric response to dual blockade of the RAS was influenced by the insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism in the ACE gene.


CONCLUSIONS
Dual blockade of the RAS may offer additional cardiovascular and renal protection in type 1 diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy. Determination of the ACE/ID genotype may help identify patients particularly sensitive to such therapy.
Jacobsen
Peter
P
Steno Diabetes Center, Gentofte, Denmark. pkjacobsen@dadlnet.dk
Parving
Hans-Henrik
HH
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects*; D012307:Risk Factors
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors