Abstract: A method is provided for generation of bone at a site of an animal where skeletal tissue is deficient comprising administering to the animal, locally at the bone site in the presence of a source of osteogenic cells, an effective amount of a composition comprising TGF-.beta. in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, provided that such composition excludes a bone morphogenetic cofactor, the composition being administered in an amount effective to induce bone growth at the bone site. Also provided is a device for implantation into a site of an animal where skeletal tissue is deficient comprising a device treated with an effective amount of a composition comprising TGF-.beta. and a source of osteogenic cells in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A formulation suitable for inducing bone formation contains about 0.5 .mu.g to about 5 mg of transforming growth factor-.beta. and about 140 mg to about 50 g of tricalcium phosphate and excludes a bone morphogenetic cofactor. In another embodiment, the formulation contains about 0.5 .mu.g to 5 mg transforming growth factor-.beta., about 140 mg to 50 g of tricalcium phosphate particles, and an amount of amylopectin ranging from about 01:1 to 1:1 amylopectin:tricalcium phosphate.

Abstract: A method is provided for generation of bone at a site of an animal where skeletal tissue is deficient comprising administering to the animal, locally at the bone site in the presence of a source of osteogenic cells, an effective amount of a composition comprising TGF-.beta. in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, provided that such composition excludes a bone morphogenetic cofactor, the composition being administered in an amount effective to induce bone growth at the bone site. Also provided is a device for implantation into a site of an animal where skeletal tissue is deficient comprising a device treated with an effective amount of a composition comprising TGF-.beta. and a source of osteogenic cells in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A method is provided for generation of bone at a site of an animal where skeletal tissue is deficient comprising administering to the animal, locally at the bone site in the presence of a source of osteogenic cells, an effective amount of a composition comprising TGF-.beta. in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, provided that such composition excludes a bone morphogenetic cofactor, the composition being administered in an amount effective to induce bone growth at the bone site. Also provided is a device for implantation into a site of an animal where skeletal tissue is deficient comprising a device treated with an effective amount of a composition comprising TGF-.beta. and a source of osteogenic cells in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for at least partially restoring normal growth, weight gain, and lean body mass of a mammal afflicted with glucocorticoid excess. This method comprises the administration to the mammal of an effective amount of IGF-I. Preferably, the mammal is a child and the IGF-I is native-sequence or brain IGF-I.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel synthetic peptides having primary structural homology to a continuous sequence of amino acid residues of human growth hormone in a region spanning positions thirty-two to forty-six ("hGH.sub.32-46 ", or "deletion peptide"). In preferred forms, peptides of the invention comprehend: duplicate portions (i.e., sequence fragments) of hGH.sub.32-46 ; stereochemical analogs and fragment analogs of hGH.sub.32-46 including one or more amino acid residues in D-isomeric configuration; and, "interspecies" analogs and fragment analogs of hGH.sub.32-46 including one or more non-homologous amino acid residues duplicating variant residues present in corresponding positions in corresponding regions of heterologous species growth hormones. Peptides of the invention are administered to mammals contemporaneously with exogenous insulin to generate hypoglycemic effects greater than available through administration of insulin alone. A presently preferred heptapeptide has the sequence, NH.sub.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel methods and materials for developing hypoglycemic effects in mammals, including human. A pentadecapeptide ("deletion peptide") having the sequence, NH.sub.2 -Glu-Glu-Ala-Tyr-Ile-Pro-Lys-Glu-Gln-Lys-Tyr-Ser-Phe-Leu-Gln-COOH, is administered to the mammal contemporaneously with exogenous insulin to generate hypoglycemic effects greater than available through administration of insulin alone. The pentadecapeptide sequence is duplicative of the sequence of amino acid residues in human growth hormone in the region spanning positions thirty-two through forty-six.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of pathological processes in bone and connective tissue comprises the topical application of calcitonin to effect control of said processes by transepithelial action. Preferred compositions for use in the method are ear drops comprising an aprotic solvent or an aqueous medium containing a surface active agent.