Preventing (or delaying) the development of microalbuminuria is a key treatment goal for renoprotection [23] and, possibly, for cardioprotection [4]. Recent clinical trials suggested that inhibition of the renin–angiotensin system may actually prevent nephropathy. The post hoc analyses of the reduction in hypertension in the Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation study [18] and in the Losartan Intervention for Endpoint study [24] found a lower incidence of overt nephropathy in subjects with type 2 diabetes who received therapy that inhibited the renin–angiotensin system than in controls.