Abstract: A cell product may be used for treating a peripheral blood flow disorder, and the cell product may include an SSEA-3-positive pluripotent stem cells (Muse cells) derived from a mesenchymal tissue in a living body or a cultured mesenchymal cell. The peripheral blood flow disorder is preferably a peripheral arterial disease, more preferably chronic arterial obstruction in a limb.

Abstract: Provided is a pharmaceutical composition, including a drug and a collagen, in which the composition is satisfactory in handleability and has sustained-release property. The sustained-release pharmaceutical composition includes: a drug; a collagen; and at least one kind of sugar selected from monosaccharides, disaccharides, trisaccharides, and tetrasaccharides. The inventors of the present invention have found that the in vivo administration of a collagen solution containing a sugar results in the gelation of a collagen. Based on this finding, the inventors have found that a composition containing a drug, a collagen, and a sugar can control the release rate of the drug, and such composition can be used as a sustained-release pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: Provided is a pharmaceutical composition, including a drug and a collagen, in which the composition is satisfactory in handleability and has sustained-release property. The sustained-release pharmaceutical composition includes: a drug; a collagen; and at least one kind of sugar selected from monosaccharides, disaccharides, trisaccharides, and tetrasaccharides. The inventors of the present invention have found that the in vivo administration of a collagen solution containing a sugar results in the gelation of a collagen. Based on this finding, the inventors have found that a composition containing a drug, a collagen, and a sugar can control the release rate of the drug, and such composition can be used as a sustained-release pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: A non-invasive method for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis is provided. In one example, the method includes assaying the expression of FOS, DUSP1, or both FOS and DUSP1 in monocytes or a cell fraction thereof, or in plasma, serum or peripheral blood from the subject. An increase the expression of FOS, DUSP1, or both FOS and DUSP1 in monocytes in the sample as compared to a control indicates that the subject has atherosclerosis. A method is also provided for determining if a pharmaceutical agent is effective for treatment of atherosclerosis in a subject. The method includes assaying the expression of FOS, DUSP1, or both FOS and DUSP1 in a monocytes treated with the pharmaceutical agent, wherein a decrease the expression of FOS, DUSP1, or both FOS and DUSP1 in monocytes in the sample as compared to a control indicates that the pharmaceutical agent is effective for the treatment of atherosclerosis. The monocytes can be contacted with the agent in vivo or in vitro.

Abstract: A non-invasive method for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis is provided. In one example, the method includes assaying the expression of FOS, DUSP1, or both FOS and DUSP1 in monocytes or a cell fraction thereof, or in plasma, serum or blood from the subject, wherein an increase the expression of FOS, DUSP1, or both FOS and DUSP1 in monocytes in the sample as compared to a control indicates that the subject has atherosclerosis. In one example, the monocytes are in a peripheral blood sample. A method is also provided for determining if a pharmaceutical agent is effective for treatment of atherosclerosis in a subject. The method includes assaying the expression of FOS, DUSP1, or both FOS and DUSP1 in a monocytes treated with the pharmaceutical agent, wherein a decrease the expression of FOS, DUSP1, or both FOS and DUSP1 in monocytes in the sample as compared to a control indicates that the pharmaceutical agent is effective for the treatment of atherosclerosis.