 With the addition of a new therapeutic agent that affects the RAS, its different pharmacodynamic effects on the RAS compared to ACE-I and ARB therapy, and that Ang 2 levels are not fully blocked by ACE-I therapy, it is critical to better understand how the new class of direct renin inhibitors may influence atherosclerotic biomarkers in patients with a variety of cardiovascular disorders. The objectives of this application are to determine whether the direct renin inhibitor, aliskiren, affects atherosclerotic biomarkers in patients with stable coronary artery disease and diabetes currently receiving standard ACE-I therapy and if aliskiren has a more favorable effect on these markers compared to the calcium antagonist amlodipine. 