Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing schizophrenia, and a schizophrenia diagnostic reagent or device for use in the method. The present invention further provides a therapeutic or ameliorating agent for schizophrenia, which is effective for the treatment or amelioration of schizophrenia. The therapeutic or ameliorating agent for schizophrenia contains a carbonyl scavenger or a carbonyl-modified protein formation inhibitor as an active ingredient. The method for diagnosing schizophrenia according to the present invention includes measuring at least one parameter in a subject, the parameter being selected from the group consisting of: (1) a genetic abnormality of glyoxalase I gene; (2) the expression level or activity of glyoxalase I in a biological sample; (3) the amount of a carbonyl compound or a carbonyl-modified protein that is a protein modified with the carbonyl compound; and (4) the amount of pyridoxal in a biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel compound having plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 inhibitory activity, and an inhibitor of PAI-1 comprising the compound as an active ingredient. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition having an inhibitory action on PAI-1 activity and being efficacious in the prevention and treatment of various diseases whose onset is associated with PAI-1 activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inhibitor of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. The present invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition that has an inhibitory action on PAI-1 activity and is useful in the prevention and treatment of various diseases whose onset is associated with PAI-1 activity. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a novel compound having PAI-1 inhibitory activity represented by the following general formula (I), and a salt thereof. Each symbol is defined as those in the specification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel compound having plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) inhibitory activity, and a PAI-1 inhibitor comprising the compound as an active ingredient. The present invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition that has an inhibitory action on PAI-1 activity and is useful in the prevention and treatment of various diseases whose onset is associated with PAI-1 activity. The novel compound is represented by the following general formula. Each symbol is defined as those in the specification.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing schizophrenia, and a schizophrenia diagnostic reagent or device for use in the method. The present invention further provides a therapeutic or ameliorating agent for schizophrenia, which is effective for the treatment or amelioration of schizophrenia. The therapeutic or ameliorating agent for schizophrenia contains a carbonyl scavenger or a carbonyl-modified protein formation inhibitor as an active ingredient. The method for diagnosing schizophrenia according to the present invention includes measuring at least one parameter in a subject, the parameter being selected from the group consisting of: (1) a genetic abnormality of glyoxalase I gene; (2) the expression level or activity of glyoxalase I in a biological sample; (3) the amount of a carbonyl compound or a carbonyl-modified protein that is a protein modified with the carbonyl compound; and (4) the amount of pyridoxal in a biological sample.

Abstract: It is an objective of the present invention to provide a novel peritoneal membrane protecting agent which can effectively suppress deterioration of peritoneal functions in long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and the like. The present invention provides a peritoneal membrane protecting agent comprising a pyridoxine or a salt thereof, as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Carbonyl compounds generated and accumulated in the peritoneal dialysate can be inactivated or eliminated by a carbonyl compound-trapping agent such as aminoguanidine. Carbonyl compounds generated during sterilization and storage of the peritoneal dialysate can be eliminated by pre-contacting with the trapping agent. Further, it is possible to eliminate carbonyl compounds transferred from the blood to the peritoneal cavity of the patient during peritoneal dialysis treatment, by adding the trapping agent to the peritoneal dialysate or by circulating the fluid through a carbonyl compound-trapping cartridge. Intraperitoneal protein modification by carbonyl compounds is inhibited by the present invention, thereby sufficiently reducing peritoneal disorders associated with peritoneal dialysis treatment.

Abstract: To provide a inhibitor of protein modification products formation capable of inhibiting of vitamin B6 deficiency disease as a side effect, especially a renal protective agent. There is provided a use, as an active ingredient, of any of free or salt-form compounds of either of the formulae: (I) (II) [wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring; and each of R2, R3 and R4 is a hydrogen atom or monovalent organic group, or alternatively R2 and R3 cooperate to form a condensed ring or R3 and R4 cooperate to represent a divalent organic group, provided that R3 and R4 are not simultaneously hydrogen atoms].

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inhibitor of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. The present invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition that has an inhibitory action on PAI-1 activity and is useful in the prevention and treatment of various diseases whose onset is associated with PAI-1 activity. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a novel compound having PAI-1 inhibitory activity represented by the following general formula (I), and a salt thereof. Each symbol is defined as those in the specification.

Abstract: It is an objective of the present invention to provide a novel peritoneal membrane protecting agent which can effectively suppress deterioration of peritoneal functions in long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and the like. The present invention provides a peritoneal membrane protecting agent comprising a pyridoxine or a salt thereof, as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Triple Tg (megsin/RAGE/iNOS-Tg) was created by crossing megsin-Tg with RAGE/iNOS-Tg. The megsin/RAGE/iNOS-Tg develops marked pathologies of diabetic nephropathy unfound in conventional models at early stages, and various pathological conditions such as glomerular hypertrophy were observed uniformly in the megsin/RAGE/iNOS-Tg mice. In addition, it was also found that animals exhibiting these symptoms were useful as a disease model animal for diabetic nephropathy. Specifically, the disease model animals of the present invention overexpress the megsin gene, a gene encoding the receptor for advanced glycation end-products, and an inducible nitric oxide synthase gene. As a result, accompanying kidney function disorders of glomerular failure develop at early stages.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound represented by the following formula (I) wherein A is a cyclic group etc., B is a 1H-tetrazol-5-yl group or a 2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-yl group, and Y is a single bond or a C6-10 arylene group, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or an ester thereof.

Abstract: A gene expressed specifically in mesangial cells. A DNA expressed specifically in mesangial cells; a protein encoded by this DNA; an antibody binding to this protein, etc. These substances are indigenous to mesangial cells and, therefore, useful in, for example, identifying mesangial cells and detecting abnormalities in mesangial cells. Moreover, the above protein would be helpful for clarification of the functions of masangial cells and, in its turn, for clarification of the causes of diseases relating to masangial cells. This protein is expectedly applicable to the treatment and diagnosis of diseases relating to masangial cells.

Abstract: Carbonyl compounds generated and accumulated in the peritoneal dialysate can be inactivated or eliminated by a carbonyl compound-trapping agent such as aminoguanidine. Carbonyl compounds generated during sterilization and storage of the peritoneal dialysate can be eliminated by pre-contacting with the trapping agent. Further, it is possible to eliminate carbonyl compounds transferred from the blood to the peritoneal cavity of the patient during peritoneal dialysis treatment, by adding the trapping agent to the peritoneal dialysate or by circulating the fluid through a carbonyl compound-trapping cartridge. Intraperitoneal protein modification by carbonyl compounds is inhibited by the present invention, thereby sufficiently reducing peritoneal disorders associated with peritoneal dialysis treatment.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To provide a inhibitor of protein modification products formation that exibits intense and excellent protein modification products formation inhibiting effects without causing any blood pressure drop. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] There is provided a inhibitor of protein modification products formation comprising as an active ingredient a compound consisting of a tetrazole ring having, via methylene, various substituents, especially compound (I) or (II) of the following formula: (wherein R1 and R2 represent monovalent organic groups identical with or different from each other). This inhibitor of protein modification products formation is useful in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with AGEs and ALEs, for example, used as a renal tissue protectant alone or in mixture in a peritoneal dialyzing solution or hemodialysate.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To provide a inhibitor of protein modification products formation capable of inhibiting of vitamin B6 deficiency disease as a side effect, especially a renal protective agent. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] There is provided a use, as an active ingredient, of any of free or salt-form compounds of either of the formulae: (I) (II) [wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring; and each of R2, R3 and R4 is a hydrogen atom or monovalent organic group, or alternatively R2 and R3 cooperate to form a condensed ring or R3 and R4 cooperate to represent a divalent organic group, provided that R3 and R4 are not simulataneously hydrogen atoms].

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound represented by the following formula (I) wherein A is a cyclic group etc., B is a 1H-tetrazol-5-yl group or a 2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-yl group, and Y is a single bond or a C6-10 arylene group, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or an ester thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides agents that decrease carbonyl stress comprising biguanides, such as metoformin. Through oral administration and such, the carbonyl stress-decreasing agents of the present invention are useful as drugs directly acting against carbonyl stress in vivo.

Abstract: Carbonyl compounds generated and accumulated in the peritoneal dialysate can be inactivated or eliminated by a carbonyl compound-trapping agent such as aminoguanidine. Carbonyl compounds generated during sterilization and storage of the peritoneal dialysate can be eliminated by pre-contacting with the trapping agent. Further, it is possible to eliminate carbonyl compounds transferred from the blood to the peritoneal cavity of the patient during peritoneal dialysis treatment, by adding the trapping agent to the peritoneal dialysate or by circulating the fluid through a carbonyl compound-trapping cartridge. Intraperitoneal protein modification by carbonyl compounds is inhibited by the present invention, thereby sufficiently reducing peritoneal disorders associated with peritoneal dialysis treatment.

Abstract: Carbonyl stress-ameliorating agents have been provided, which contain an enzyme having a glyoxalase I activity and a carbonyl compound-reducing agent as the active ingredients. The carbonyl stress-ameliorating agents of the present invention rapidly eliminate carbonyl compounds, and thus ameliorate carbonyl induced stress conditions.