AGT and diabetic kidney disease: Vidotti et al. (2004) described that high glucose levels increase angiotensin II (Ang II) generation in mesangial cells as a result of activation of renin and its substrate angiotensinogen through an intracrine action, mediating the proliferative and inflammatory effects of this peptide (Vidotti et al., 2004). The result of this mechanism can contribute to cell proliferation, matrix expansion, inflammation contributing to the glomerular sclerosis described in diabetic nephropathy (Vidotti et al., 2004).