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Abstract. Several lines of evidence indicate that serotonin type 7 (5-HT 7 ) receptors play a critical role for non-photic resetting of the mammalian circadian clock; however, the contributions of other types of 5-HT receptors to non-photic entrainment are not yet clarified. The present study demonstrates that MKC-242, a selective 5-HT 1A receptor agonist, can evoke a non-photic-like phase-response in hamsters in vivo. This phase-shifting response to MKC-242 was antagonized not only by the selective 5-HT 1A receptor blocker WAY100635 but also by the selective 5-HT 7 receptor blocker DR4004. These suggest that synchronous activation of 5-HT 1A and 5-HT 7 receptors mediates non-photic signals to the hamster circadian clock.

Purposes It is sometimes difficult to restore a regular ovulatory cycle in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) using classic agents such as clomiphene citrate or gonadotropins. Saireito, a herbal medicine, is believed to have an effect similar to corticosteroids. We examined the effect of Saireito on ovulatory induction and endocrine status in women with PCOS. Methods Twenty-four women with PCOS were treated with Saireito for 3 months. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL), testosterone (T), estradiol (E 2 ), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cortisol were measured before and after treatment, and ovulation was assessed. We compared serum LH levels between ovulation (n = 21) and anovulation (n = 3) groups, and compared ovulation rate and serum LH levels between obese (n = 6) and nonobese (n = 18) groups. Results Ovulation was restored in 21 (87.5%) of the 24 PCOS patients following administration of Saireito for 3 months. LH levels were significantly decreased 1 month after medication in ovulatory group (P \ 0.001), but only slightly decreased in anovulatory group. Ovulation rate in the nonobese group (94.4%) was higher than in the obese group (66.7%). Serum LH levels were significantly reduced in the nonobese group, but only slightly reduced in the obese group. Conclusions Saireito reduced serum LH levels and increased ovulatory rate, particularly in nonobese women.

Aims/Introduction Research on the incidence and underlying mechanisms of rapid renal function decline in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with preserved renal function and normoalbuminuria is limited. This study aimed to investigate the involvement of hemoglobin level as a risk factor for rapid decliners among patients with type 2 diabetes with preserved renal function and normoalbuminuria. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective observational study of 242 patients with type 2 diabetes with a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate of ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and normoalbuminuria (<30 mg/gCr), followed up for >1 year. The annual rate of estimated glomerular filtration rate decline during the follow‐up period was calculated using least square regression analysis; rapid decliners defined at ≥3.3%/year. Risk factors associated with rapid decliners were identified using a logistic regression analysis of variables previously identified as risk factors of rapid decliners. Results The median follow‐up period was 6.7 years, and 34 patients showed rapid decliners. On multivariate analysis, lower baseline hemoglobin level was a risk factor of rapid decliners (odds ratio 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.47–0.99; P = 0.045). Furthermore, the baseline hemoglobin levels were correlated positively with iron and ferritin levels, implying that an impaired iron metabolism might cause lower hemoglobin levels in rapid decliners. Conclusions In patients with type 2 diabetes with preserved renal function and normoalbuminuria, lower hemoglobin levels were a risk factor for rapid decliners, where disturbed iron metabolism might precede the development of diabetic kidney disease.