The type 1 diabetes patients who were still normoalbuminuric and normotensive, after 17 years duration and a second research kidney biopsy, could enter the double blind treatment study of Atacand or Placebo.

The treatment study continues for five years treatment and ends with a third kidney biopsy.

The study hypothesis is that the effect of ARB during 5 years on the histopathology are more pronounced than the effect on histopathology of placebo.

46 patients performed a first kidney biopsy between 1992-1994. After 6 years 29 accepted to perform a second biopsy. During the follow-up 10 patients developed complications i.e. hypertension or microalbuminuria. 7 of the patients got treatment during follow up and 3 started the treatment after the second biopsy. 19 patients with two kidney biopsies were still normoalbuminuric and normotensive. 13 of them entered the double-blind treatment study of Atacand or Placebo. 6 denied to participate in the treatment study.

The treatment study will continue for 5 years and will end with a third kidney biopsy. Also the rest of the patients that have done 2 kidney biopsies will be asked to perform a third biopsy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diabetes type 1 patient
• Normotensive
• Normoalbuminuric
• Signed informed consent
• Female and male
• Over 17 years of age
• Diabetes duration over 10 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Hypertension
• Microalbuminuria
• Pregnancy
• Lactation
• Reduced kidney function
• Artery stenosis
• Kidney transplantation
• Allergy to the medication in the study
• Reduced liver function
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Participation in another drug or clinical test during last 30 days
• Severe diseases i.e. malignancy
• Previously enrolment of the present study