Abstract: A vitreous body visualization agent which is to be injected into the eye to visualize the vitreous body by a safe and sure method. The vitreous body visualization agent is prepared by using a polymeric substance having positively or negatively charged functional groups and adding a hardly water-soluble and non-steroidal colored substance, in which the polymeric substance is to be suspended, thereto. Due to having a non-steroidal nature, it can be safely injected into the eye, and the colored substance, in which the polymeric substance is to be suspended, makes the vitreous body visually recognizable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substantially water-based medical hydrogel having at least 0.010 but no more than 50 crosslink points per molecule, as well as a dried material thereof. The hydrogel is obtained by crosslinking a gelatin having 20 to 30 amino groups per molecule and the same or greater number of carboxyl groups per molecule or a gelatin derivative having 2 to 100 amino groups per molecule and 50 or more carboxyl groups per molecule. According to the present invention, a medical hydrogel with properties appropriate to the intended use can be reliably prepared. In particular a continuous delivery interval can be reliably achieved by using the hydrogel of the invention as a drug delivery vehicle.

Abstract: A water-soluble fullerene wherein the number of water-soluble polymers bonded has been regulated can be obtained by coupling water-soluble polymers with a fullerene having functional groups in its molecule via the functional groups. This water-soluble fullerene can be used in the photodynamic therapy or supersonic therapy of cancer through the use thereof as an active oxygen generator.

Abstract: A nucleic acid-complex, containing a nucleic acid and a positively charged, water-insoluble biodegradable polymer, is disclosed. The complex has properties of sustainedly releasing a desired nucleic acid, especially DNA, to a site. The complex can be taken up by phagocytes such as macrophages and delivered to a target site, allowing the function of the nucleic acid to be exhibited in a target specific manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic agent for diabetic neuropathy capable of more effectively treating diabetic neuropathy, wherein a basic fibroblast growth factor is carried on a gelatin gel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cardiomyopathy therapeutic agent that contains hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and gelatin hydrogel, and gradually releases HGF, which is useful in treating cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for occlusion of blood vessel comprising a metallic coil, a sustained-release element and a cell growth factor. Examples of the cell growth factor include basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor ?1 (TGC-?1), vascular endothelia growth factor (VEGF) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). Examples of the sustained-release element include a hydrophilic hydrogel. By using the device for occlusion of blood vessel according to the present invention, a blood vessel site such as aneurysm is occluded, and preferably, organization may be induced in vivo.

Abstract: A sustained-release preparation is provided which comprises a drug and a bioabsorbable polymer hydrogel, wherein a concentration gradient of the drug is formed in the hydrogel. Also disclosed is a method of sustained release of a drug in vivo using the sustained-release preparation of the invention. The directionality of the drug release may be controlled by employing the sustained-release preparation of the invention. The sustained-release preparation of the invention is particularly useful as an anti-cancer agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ischemia therapeutic agent that contains vascularization induction factor and gelatin hydrogel, and gradually releases vascularization induction factor, which is useful in treating ishchemia accompanying peripheral circulatory disorders etc. encountering as complications of arteriosclerosis obliterans, Buerger's disease, diabetes and collagen disease.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for therapy of coronary artery narrowing or blockage, which comprises a sustained release preparation containing an angiogenesis factor or a gene encoding the same and a gelatin hydrogel is disclosed. Examples of the angiogenesis factor which may be used include e.g., bFGF and other FGFs, VEGF, HGF, PDGF, TGF, angiopoietin, HIF, cytokine, chemokine, adrenomeduline and the like.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide modified IFN so that duration of IFN in blood is prolonged and IFN acts specifically on tissues having neovasculature, particularly tumors or ophthalmic tissues having neovasculature. The present invention provides an interferon-dextran complex obtained by mixing interferon with dextran having chelate ligands in the presence of a metal ion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gelatin derivative having an organic compound as a graft chain and a high-molecular weight micelle containing the gelatin derivative. As the organic compound, a low molecular weight compound such as succinic acid, ethylenediamine, etc., or a high-molecular weight compound such as polyethylene glycol, polylactic acid, etc. can be used. The high-molecular weight micelle can be used as a pharmaceutical composition excellent in control of sustained release or targeting property by carrying it on a drug, etc. Also, the gelatin derivative can be an excellent adhesion preventing membrane by crosslinking it.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to promote adequate body tissue formation action in a body tissue filling material. The present invention provides a graft material for body tissue regeneration 1 provided with a tubular member 2 composed of a material that allows nutrients B to permeate to the outside from blood A that passes therein, a body tissue filling material 3 arranged around the periphery of the tubular member 2, and a film 4 composed of a biocompatible material that covers them.

Abstract: A sustained release film preparation for local administration to the region of diseases associated with decrease in bone mass, which comprises, as an active ingredient thereof, (11&agr;,13E,15&agr;)-9-oxo-11,15-dihydroxy-16-(3-methoxymethylphenyl)-17,18,19,20-tetranor-5-thiaprost-13-enoic acid methyl ester having the following formula (I) or a non-toxic salt thereof: 1

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sustained release HGF gelatin hydrogel preparation containing a gelatin hydrogel obtained by crosslinking a gelatin having the following properties: (1) an acidic gelatin obtained from collagen by an alkali hydrolysis treatment, (2) a molecular weight of about 100,000-about 200,000 daltons under non-reducing conditions of SDS-PAGE, (3) an isoelectric point of about 5, and (4) a zeta potential in an aqueous solution of about −15 to about −20 mV, and a hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and an angiogenesis and vasculogenesis promoter and a therapeutic agent for arterial diseases, which contain this preparation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a crosslinked gelatin gel preparation containing a basic fibroblast growth factor hereinafter referred to as bFGF wherein a crosslinked gelatin gel is used as a sustained release carrier, and which have different water content, i.e. in vivo degradation and absorption by varying the condition for preparing the crosslinked gelatin gel. By the crosslinked gelatin gel preparation of the present invention, the sustained release rate of bFGF can be varied as required and the durability of in vivo activity of bFGF can be controlled.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intra-corporeal artificial kidney having a function of metabolizing protein and a method of constructing the same.

Abstract: There are disclosed a method to enhance sternal treatment after sternotomy with or without removal of at least one of thoracic arteries which comprises applying an agent for the treatment of sternum after sternotomy to or at around the sternum, wherein the agent comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of an angiogenetic factor, an osteogenetic factor and their analogues such as bFGF, aFGF, TGF &bgr;, VEGF, HGF, BMP, PDGF, TGF &agr;, other cytokines or gene as an effective ingredient and an agent to be used for the method; and an agent to enhance healing of or treating sternum after sternotomy comprising the same.

Abstract: An active oxygen generator for ultrasonic therapy containing a photosensitizer of the present invention which can cause the photosensitizer such as fullerene to generate active oxygen even at deep sites within the body, thereby enabling it to be used for the treatment of deep cancers unable to be irradiated with light, as well as viral infections, intracellular parasitic infections, pulmonary fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, chronic nephritis, arteriosclerosis and angiostenosis.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide: a hybrid material for regeneration of living body tissue, which can retain sufficient mechanical strength for a term needed to regenerate the tissue, and which simultaneously has moderate biodegradation absorbability which enables degradation and disappearance rapidly after the regeneration of the tissue. As means for solving the problems, the hybrid material for regeneration of living body tissue, according to the present invention, comprises a naturally-occurring polymer and a biodegradation-absorbable synthetic polymer, wherein the biodegradation-absorbable synthetic polymer exists in a fibrous form in a sponge including the naturally-occurring polymer, and wherein the naturally-occurring polymer is crosslinked.