Evidence that an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor has a different effect on glomerular injury according to the different phase of the disease at which the treatment is started.

In rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, the effect of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor on the evolution of glomerular injury according to the time at which the treatment is started with respect to the onset of the disease was studied. Three groups of animals were used, a control Group 1 and two groups of diabetic rats treated with insulin (Groups 2 and 3). The latter were monitored until urinary protein excretion reached 40 to 50 mg/24 h (on average, 23 wk after the induction of the diabetes).