In patients with diabetes, angiotensin II is believed to play a main role in the progression of renal damage, not only through haemodynamic effects but also non-haemodynamic effects, including stimulation of growth factors and cytokines and changes in extracellular matrix metabolism.11 Angiotensin II gives rise to glomerular hypertension and can alter the filtration properties of the glomerular basement membrane, leading to proteinuria.12-13 Angiotensin receptor antagonists have been shown to consistently produce favourable mortality and morbidity outcomes in endpoint trials in patients with type 2 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy.14-16