Hepatocyte transplantation through the hepatic vein: a new route of cell transplantation to the liver.

The efficiency of hepatocyte transplantation into the liver varies with the method of administration. This study investigated whether retrograde infusion via the hepatic vein provides a sufficient number of donor cells for the liver. Donor hepatocytes were isolated from dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV(+)) rats and transplanted into DPPIV(-) rat livers either by antegrade portal vein infusion or retrograde hepatic vein infusion.

Randomized dose-response study of rosuvastatin in Japanese patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Rosuvastatin is a novel statin that has been shown to produce large dose-dependent reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in Western hypercholesterolemic patients. Rosuvastatin dose response was assessed in a randomized, double-blind phase II trial in which 112 Japanese patients with fasting LDL-C > 160 and < 220 mg/dl and triglycerides < 300 mg/dl received placebo or rosuvastatin 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, or 40 mg once daily for 6 weeks.

A retrospective meta-analysis of the efficacy and tolerability of fenofibrate 300 mg/d on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in randomized, double-blind, comparative studies conducted in Japan.

Background: Low levels of plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) represent an important risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). Increasing HDL-C by 1 mg/dL decreases the incidence of CHD by 2% to 3%. Fenofibrate increases HDL-C by ∼23%, to ≥40 mg/dL, and may be effective in preventing CHD.

Clinical efficacy of pitavastatin, a new 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, in patients with hyperlipidemia. Dose-finding study using the double-blind, three-group parallel comparison.

Pitavastatin (CAS 147526-32-7, NK-104), the first totally synthetic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor discovered in Japan, was examined. Pitavastatin significantly decreased the serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) at doses of 1 mg/day or more, and significant dose-dependence of the effect of this drug was observed within the dose range from 1 mg/day to 4 mg/day. It also significantly decreased the serum levels of triglycerides (TG) within this dose range.

A randomized, double-blind trial comparing the efficacy and safety of pitavastatin versus pravastatin in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia.

Pitavastatin (p-INN) is a novel and fully synthetic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, with a cholesterol-lowering action stronger than that of other statins currently in use. A 12-week, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, controlled study was conducted to confirm the efficacy and safety of pitavastatin compared with pravastatin, an agent for using to reduce low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in hypercholesterolemic patients. Patients were recruited at 43 institutes in Japan.