Several clinical trials aimed at studying the benefits of RAS blockade in the diabetic complications. HOPE, RENAAL, IRMA2, IDNT, ONTARGET studies proved that ACE inhibitors or ARBs reduced the risk of diabetic complications.~Recent studies proved that fimasartan, one of the ARBs, stabilizes the activity of renin-angiotensin system. However, understanding the change in concentration of serum ACE, ACE-2, angiotensin(1-7), and angiotensin-II should help clinicians select more appropriate drug between ACE inhibitors and ARBs with clear evidence. Moreover, since RAS antagonists are the first-line drugs for antihypertensive therapy in patients with T2DM, it is meaningful to understand the change of RAS-related factors in serum after using the drugs.
In this study, we will assess the change of extended renin-angiotensin system including serum ACE-2 and angiotensin(1-7) levels and subclinical atherosclerosis after using fimasartan (an ARB), compared to amlodipine in hypertensive patients with T2DM.