Abstract: by screening using a high-throughput evaluation system relating to the promotion of the extracellular secretion of trimers of the causative proteins COL4A3/A4/A5, which decreased in the renal tissue of patients with Alport syndrome (AS), it was found that cyclosporin A has an effect of promoting extracellular secretion of trimers of type-IV collagen. From further studies, it was found that Alisporivir and NIM258, which do not inhibit calcineurin, also have an action to promote extracellular secretion of type-IV collagen. Furthermore, the present inventors have found that these actions are based on the cyclophilin D inhibitory mechanism, and have found a radical therapeutic agent for AS by inhibition of cyclophilin D. The present invention provides a composition and an AS therapeutic/prophylactic drug, which contain a cyclophilin D inhibitor as an active ingredient, for promoting the secretion of collagen trimers in cells having a mutated type-IV collagen gene.

Abstract: Provided is a new means for suppressing inflammation or suppressing inflammatory cytokine production. Provided is a device in which a weak pulse current is passed through a living body or living tissue to suppress inflammation in the living body or the living tissue. This device is provided with a power supply means, and a current control means for receiving a supply of power to intermittently apply a direct current at prescribed intervals, and is configured such that the current control means includes a pulse width modulation control means, and the pulse width modulation control means generates a pulse wave that is a rectangular wave, and in which the time indicating a peak value for rising in one cycle of the pulse wave (“pulse duration”) is at least 0.1 millisecond, the peak value is 1.0-20 V, inclusive, and the duty ratio of the pulse wave is at least 5.5%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for evaluating a potential of type IV collagen trimerization, a method of screening for a compound that promotes a potential of type IV collagen trimerization, and kits for use with these methods. Because the potential of type IV collagen trimerization is associated with the onset of Alport syndrome, the methods and the kits of the present invention can be powerful tools in drug development and/or diagnosis.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus and method are provided for suppressing an inflammation or an inflammatory cytokine production. For example, the exemplary apparatus and method can cause a weak pulse current to be passed through a living body or living tissue to suppress the inflammation in the living body or the living tissue. The exemplary apparatus can include a power supply device, and a current control device for receiving a supply of power to intermittently apply a direct current at prescribed intervals. The current control device can include a pulse width modulation control device, and the pulse width modulation control device can generate a pulse wave that is a rectangular wave. A time indicating a peak value for rising in one cycle of the pulse wave (“pulse duration”) can be at least 0.1 millisecond, the peak value can be in the range of 1.0V to 20 V, inclusive, and the duty ratio of the pulse wave can be at least 5.5%.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for the identification of a treatment for overproduction of mucin during otitis media (OM) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The method uses a MUC5AC plasmid to identify novel cytoplasmic proteins of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae, a common mediator of OM and COPD, which up-regulate human MUC5AC mucin transcription via a positive p38 MAP kinase pathway and a negative PI 3-Kinase-Akt pathway. These proteins can be used to identify or design inhibitors of the p38 MAP kinase pathway and activators of the PI 3-kinase Akt pathway.