Abstract: A laminated cell culture obtained by lamination of a cell layer containing hepatocytes and a cell layer containing one or more kinds of cells selected from the group consisting of vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, adipocytes, hemocytes, and macrophages; a laminated cell culture system obtained by lamination of a laminated cell culture obtainable by lamination of a cell layer containing hepatocytes and a cell layer containing one or more kinds of cells selected from the group consisting of vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, adipocytes, hemocytes, and macrophages, and a cell layer containing cells for detection of an endocrine-like substance; and a method for detecting an endocrine-like substance using the laminated cell culture system.

Abstract: A liposome containing a hydrophobic iodine compound such as a 1,3,5-triiodobenzene derivative having at least one substituent containing 18 or more carbon atoms as a membrane component, and an X-ray contrast medium containing the liposome for use in radiography of a vascular disease and the like.

Abstract: A method for detaching a carrier for cell culture from cultured cells formed on a surface of said carrier, which includes the step of bringing the carrier for cell culture into contact with a compound represented by the following formula (I) or a polyphosphoric acid or a salt thereof: MO3P-L11-PO3M wherein L11 represents a divalent bridging group; and M represents a hydrogen atom or a cation. The carrier preferably includes a calcium alginate layer and a cell adhesion gel layer.

Abstract: A compound represented by the following general formula (IA) or a salt thereof: wherein Ar1 represents hydrogen atom or an aryl group having at least one iodine atom as a substituent; Ar2 represents an aryl group having at least one iodine atom as a substituent; L1 and L2 independently represent a divalent bridging group of which main chain contains 6 or more carbon atoms; L3 represents a single bond or a divalent bridging group of which main chain contains 1 to 6 carbon atoms and one oxygen atom; X represents a functional group containing at least one heteroatom, provided that, when L3 is a single bond, X represents a functional group other than hydroxyl group. The compound can be used as a membrane component of liposomes, and the liposomes can be used as a contrast medium for X-ray radiography.

Abstract: A liposome containing a hydrophobic iodine compound represented by the following general formula (I) as a membrane component: R1—CO2—R2 wherein R1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted 2,3,5-triiodophenyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted 3,4,5-triiodophenyl group; and R2 represents a hydrocarbon group having 10 or more carbon atoms, and an X-ray contrast medium, which comprises said liposome which is used for radiography of a vascular disease.

Abstract: A near infrared fluorescent contrast agent which is excellent in permeability in a living tissue and enables specific imaging of tumor and/or blood vessel, comprising a compound represented by formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R7, and R8 represent a C1-C10 alkyl group or the like; R3, R4, R5, R6, R9, R10, R11, and R12 represent a hydrogen atom, a C1-C6 alkyl group, an aryl group or the like; X1 and X2 represent a C1-C15 alkyl group or an aryl group and X1 and X2 in total have 0 to 4 carboxyl groups; m1, m2, and m3 represents 0 or 1; L1 to L7 independently represent a methine group; M represents a hydrogen atom, a metal, or a quaternary ammonium salt; and n represents an integer of 1 to 7 necessary for neutralizing charge.

Abstract: A compound represented by the following general formula (I) or a salt thereof: wherein Ar1 and Ar2 independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having at least one iodine atom as a substituent; L1 and L2 independently represent a divalent bridging group of which main chain consists of 7 or more atoms at least one of which is a heteroatom; and X represents —CH(OH)— or —CO—, which is suitable for an iodine-containing contrast medium containing liposomes.

Abstract: A benzimidazole compound or a salt thereof which has an inhibitory action of foaming of macrophages and is useful as an active ingredient of a medicament for preventive and/or therapeutic treatment of arteriosclerosis, which is represented by the formula (I): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group, or a lower alkoxy group; R2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or an acyl group; R3 represents a functional group on the ring; A represents O or CH2 or CH that forms a double bond with an adjacent carbon atom; L represents a C4-C8 alkylene group or an ethyleneoxy linking group represented by (CH2CH2O)nCH2CH2 wherein n represents 1 or 2; X represents O, S or methylene group; and m represents 0 or 1.

Abstract: A benzimidazole compound or a salt thereof which has an inhibitory action of forming of macrophages and is useful as an active ingredient of an orally available medicament for preventive and/or therapeutic treatment of arteriosclerosis, which is represented by the formula (I): wherein, R1 represents one or more functional groups on the benzene ring selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group and a lower alkoxy group; R2 represents hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an acyl group; L represents a C4-C8 alkylene group or an ethyleneoxy linking group represented as (CH2CH2O)nCH2CH2 wherein n represents 1 or 2; X represents O or NH; Y represents S or a single bond; and Q represents a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic group which may have a functional group on the ring.

Abstract: A method for detaching a carrier for cell culture, such as a carrier comprising a calcium alginate layer and a cell adhesion gel layer and the like, from cultured cells formed on a surface of said carrier, which comprises the step of bringing the carrier for cell culture into contact with a compound represented by the following formula (I):

Abstract: Liposomes containing as a membrane component an active ingredient of a medicament for prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of a vascular disease caused by abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (e.g., an active ingredient containing a benzimidazole derivative having suppression action on foaming of macrophages, and medicaments for prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of a vascular disease caused by abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, which comprises the liposomes. There is provided means for selectively accumulating a medicament for prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of disease caused by abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells such as arteriosclerosis and restenosis after PTCA in a site the vascular disease.

Abstract: A carrier for cell culture comprising a carrier having a cationic group and polypeptide-modified portions formed on a surface of the carrier in a sea-island structure, and a carrier for cell culture comprising a water-containing gel comprising alginic acid, wherein a surface of the carrier is coated with collagen, and wherein the collagen is bound to a surface of the water-containing gel by means of chitosan.

Abstract: A liposome containing a hydrophobic iodine compound such as a 1,3,5-triiodobenzene derivative having at least one substituent containing 18 or more carbon atoms as a membrane component, and an X-ray contrast medium containing the liposome for use in radiography of a vascular disease and the like.

Abstract: A benzimidazole compound or a salt thereof which has an inhibitory action of forming of macrophages and is useful as an active ingredient of a medicament for preventive and/or therapeutic treatment of arteriosclerosis, which is represented by the formula (I): wherein, R1 represents a functional group on the benzene ring selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group and a lower alkoxy group; R2 represents hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an acyl group; R3 represents a functional group on the ring containing the nitrogen atom and Z; Z represents a divalent group which forms a 5- or 6-membered ring; L represents a C4-C8 alkylene group or an ethyleneoxy linking group represented by (CH2CH2O)nCH2CH2 wherein n represents 1 or 2; and X represents O or S.

Abstract: A liposome containing a hydrophobic iodine compound represented by the following general formula (I) as a membrane component:

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a cell culture system, which comprises the step of simultaneously culturing two or more kinds of cell species (e.g., macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells) which are involved in formation of a lesion of a mammalian disease (e.g., formation of an arteriosclerotic lesion) in one cell culture vessel under separation of said two or more kinds of cells by using, for example, a cell filter. A cell culture system is provided in which an environment of a lesion of a particular disease is reproduced.

Abstract: Benzimidazole compounds represented by the formula set out below and analogs thereof, wherein Y represents a single bond or sulfur atom; Z represents oxygen atom, sulfur atom, or N—R4; R1 and R2 independently represent hydrogen, a halogen atom, alkyl group or other; R3 and R4 independently represent hydrogen, alkyl group, acyl group or other; n and m independently represent an integer of 1, 2, or 3; and L represents a linking group such as C2-12 alkylene group or an alkylene group containing one or more phenylene groups or ether groups. The compounds are useful as an active ingredient of a medicament such as a preventive and therapeutic medicament for hyperlipemia or arterial sclerosis.

Abstract: Benzimidazole compounds represented by the formula set out below and analogs thereof, wherein Y represents a single bond or sulfur atom; Z represents oxygen atom, sulfur atom, or N—R4; R1 and R2 independently represent hydrogen, a halogen atom, alkyl group or other; R3 and R4 independently represent hydrogen, alkyl group, acyl group or other; n and m independently represent an integer of 1, 2, or 3; and L represents a linking group such as C2-12 alkylene group or an alkylene group containing one or more phenylene groups or ether groups. The compounds are useful as an active ingredient of a medicament such as a preventive and therapeutic medicament for hyperlipemia or arterial sclerosis.

Abstract: Benzimidazole compounds represented by the formula set out below and analogs thereof, wherein Y represents a single bond or sulfur atom; Z represents oxygen atom, sulfur atom, or N--R.sup.4 ; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent hydrogen, a halogen atom, alkyl group or other; R.sup.1 and R.sup.4 independently represent hydrogen, alkyl group, acyl group or other; n and m independently represent an integer of 1, 2, or 3; and L represents a linking group such as C.sub.2-12 alkylene group or an alkylene group containing one or more phenylene groups or ether groups. The compounds are useful as an active ingredient of a medicament such as a preventive and therapeutic medicament for hyperlipemia or arterial sclerosis.

Abstract: 2-Mercaptobenzimidazole derivatives represented by the following formulae, analogs and salts thereof are disclosed: ##STR1## These 2-mercaptobenzimidazole derivatives are useful as a medicine such as an antihyperlipemic agent or antiarteriosclerotic agent and also useful as an additive for silver halide photosensitive materials, liquid crystals and the like.