ACE2 and diabetes mellitus: ACEIs, commonly prescribed as first-line therapy for hypertension, heart failure, diabetes, and renal disease, confer cardiovascular and renal protection primarily by inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and reducing levels of angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor.4–6 Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a critical regulator within RAAS, counterbalances angiotensin II by converting it into the vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory peptide angiotensin 1-7.7,8