Nephropathy of type 2 diabetes is the leading cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD) world-wide and is associated with a dramatic excess cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Two randomized trials found that angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) reduce the incidence of ESRD by about 30%, but have no appreciable effects on cardiovascular mortality. Available data suggest that ACE inhibitors might be similarly renoprotective and even more cardioprotective, but large scale trials on ACE inhibitors, alone or combined with ARBs, in overt nephropathy of type 2 diabetes are missing.