Which antihypertensive class is particularly protective of kidney function in patients with diabetes?

• A. Beta blockers.
• B. Calcium channel blockers.
• C. ACE inhibitors.
• D. Diuretics.

Answer: (C)

ACE inhibitors are particularly protective of kidney function in diabetes because they block the effects of angiotensin II on the kidneys. By lowering angiotensin II activity, they dilate the efferent arteriole, which reduces intraglomerular pressure and decreases protein leakage into the urine (proteinuria). This not only lowers blood pressure but also slows the progression of diabetic nephropathy and helps preserve kidney function over time. They also offer cardiovascular benefits, which is especially important given the high cardiovascular risk in diabetes. Other antihypertensives can lower blood pressure, but they don’t consistently reduce intraglomerular pressure and albuminuria to the same extent, so their renal-protective effect in diabetes is not as robust.