Abstract: A method to treat the chronic stage of heart injury after ischemia or reperfusion by administering Midkine to a subject in need of such treatment is described.

Abstract: The object is to find a nitric oxide synthase activator, a method for the administration of the activator, and the amount of the activator to be administered. Disclosed is a nitric oxide synthase activator comprising a midkine family protein or a midkine derivative as an active ingredient. Specifically disclosed is a nitric oxide synthase activator which is intended to be administered through the blood, a coronary artery or a vein and which comprises a midkine family protein or a midkine derivative as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of angiostenosis, comprising a compound inhibiting the function of midkine (MK) in blood vessel tissues as an effective ingredient. The present invention is useful for the prevention or treatment of angiostenosis attributed to arteriosclerosis or restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). As compounds inhibiting the function of MK, antisense oligonucleotides that bind to a segment of a single-stranded mRNA transcribed from the MK gene to inhibit the synthesis of MK protein in cells, antibodies against the MK protein, and such can be used.

Abstract: The object is to find a nitric oxide synthase activator, a method for the administration of the activator, and the amount of the activator to be administered. Disclosed is a nitric oxide synthase activator comprising a midkine family protein or a midkine derivative as an active ingredient. Specifically disclosed is a nitric oxide synthase activator which is intended to be administered through the blood, a coronary artery or a vein and which comprises a midkine family protein or a midkine derivative as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A study was made on the therapeutic effect of midkine on an occlusive peripheral vascular disease, and it was found that midkine has an activity of promoting neovascularization and that a blood vessel can be proliferated and the blood flow in the upper and lower limbs can be improved (in other words, the condition of an ischemic disease in the upper and lower limbs can be ameliorated) by introducing midkine into a site affected by the occlusive peripheral vascular disease.

Abstract: The present inventors compared myocardial damages after ischemia/reperfusion in wild-type mice and Midkine (MK)-deficient mice to confirm the effects and functions of MK. MK administration was found to significantly prevent cardiomyocyte apoptosis in both cultured cardiomyocytes (in vitro) and mouse models (in vivo).

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of angiostenosis, comprising a compound inhibiting the function of midkine (MK) in blood vessel tissues as an effective ingredient. The present invention is useful for the prevention or treatment of angiostenosis attributed to arteriosclerosis or restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). As compounds inhibiting the function of MK, antisense oligonucleotides that bind to a segment of a single-stranded mRNA transcribed from the MK gene to inhibit the synthesis of MK protein in cells, antibodies against the MK protein, and such can be used.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of angiostenosis, comprising a compound inhibiting the function of midkine (MK) in blood vessel tissues as an effective ingredient. The present invention is useful for the prevention or treatment of angiostenosis attributed to arteriosclerosis or restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). As compounds inhibiting the function of MK, antisense oligonucleotides that bind to a segment of a single-stranded mRNA transcribed from the MK gene to inhibit the synthesis of MK protein in cells, antibodies against the MK protein, and such can be used.

Abstract: A catheter which allows injection into a target region without imposing large burden on a medical patient can be provided. A catheter (1) is used by being inserted from outside of a body into a blood vessel and a distal end thereof being reached inside of a heart, that is a target region, while a proximate end thereof remaining outside of the body. The catheter (1) is configured in a way so that an injection mechanism (5) conducts injection into myocardium from inside of a heart while a forceps mechanism (3) holds myocardium inside of the heart. In the forceps mechanism (3), a grasping portion (13) provided at the distal end of the catheter (1) opens and closes in conjunction with manipulation at a first handling portion (11) provided at the proximate end of the catheter (1).

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of angiostenosis, comprising a compound inhibiting the function of midkine (MK) in blood vessel tissues as an effective ingredient. The present invention is useful for the prevention or treatment of angiostenosis attributed to arteriosclerosis or restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). As compounds inhibiting the function of MK, antisense oligonucleotides that bind to a segment of a single-stranded mRNA transcribed from the MK gene to inhibit the synthesis of MK protein in cells, antibodies against the MK protein, and such can be used.