Abstract: The invention provides 1.alpha.-hydroxyvitamin D compounds in which the C-25 or equivalent position of the C-17 side chain has a double bond and method for their use in the treatment and prophylaxis of hyperparathyroidism and hyperproliferative diseases, and in the modulation of the immune and inflammatory responses as well as the treatment of bone depletive disorders.

Abstract: A method for reducing or preventing elevated blood parathyroid hormone level in a human being suffering from hyperparathyroidism by administering a sufficient amount of 1.alpha.-OH vitamin D.sub.2, 1.alpha.-OH vitamin D.sub.4 or 1.alpha.,24(R)-(OH).sub.2 vitamin D.sub.4.

Abstract: A method for preventing loss of bone mass or bone mineral content in a human being suffering from secondary hyperparathyroidism by administering a sufficient amount of 1.alpha.--OH vitamin D.sub.2, 1.alpha.,24(S)--(OH).sub.2 vitamin D.sub.2, 1.alpha.--OH vitamin D.sub.4 or l.alpha.,24(R)--(OH).sub.2 vitamin D.sub.4.

Abstract: Methods of treating osteoporosis prophylactically or therapeutically are disclosed. The method of treating osteoporosis includes administering to a patient suffering therefrom an effective amount to treat the osteoporosis of novel 1.alpha.-hydroxyvitamin D.sub.4 and novel analogues 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.4 and 1,24-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.4, the aforementioned compounds having lower toxicity as measured by an LD.sub.50 test in rats when compared to a corresponding vitamin D.sub.3 compound. The method of administering the compound is substantially without occurrence of hypercalcemia.

Abstract: 1.alpha.-hydroxy vitamin D.sub.4 and analogues, preferably 1,24 dihydroxy vitamin D.sub.4, which are useful as active compounds of pharmaceutical compositions for the inhibition of hyperproliferative activity of malignant cells.

Abstract: Method of treating prostatic conditions such as prostate cancer and hyperplasia by administering 1.alpha.-hydroxyprevitamin D or activated vitamin D or a combination thereof in a sustained release form or a delayed and sustained release formulation. Both the sustained release form and the delayed, sustained release form deliver increased active vitamin D blood levels without significant risk of hypercalcemia associated with other oral dosing of vitamin D forms, to provide the beneficial effect to the diseased prostate tissue.

Abstract: 1.alpha.,24(S)-Dihydroxy vitamin D.sub.2 which is useful as an active compound of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of disorders of calcium metabolism and for various skin disorders. The invention also includes preparation of synthetic 1.alpha.,24(S)-dihydroxy vitamin D.sub.2 starting from ergosterol which is converted in six steps to 24-hydroxyergosterol. 24-Hydroxyergosterol is irradiated and thermally converted to 24-hydroxy vitamin D.sub.2 which is converted in six steps to 1.alpha.,24(S)-dihydroxy vitamin D.sub.2. The syntheses also produced novel intermediates.

Abstract: 1.alpha.,24(S)-Dihydroxy vitamin D.sub.2 which is useful as an active compound of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of disorders of calcium metabolism and for various skin disorders. The invention also includes preparation of synthetic 1.alpha.,24(S)-dihydroxy vitamin D.sub.2 starting from ergosterol which is converted in six steps to 24-hydroxyergosterol. 24-Hydroxyergosterol is irradiated and thermally converted to 24-hydroxy vitamin D.sub.2 which is converted in six steps to 1.alpha.,24(S)-dihydroxy vitamin D.sub.2. The syntheses also produced novel intermediates.

Abstract: The invention provides therapeutic methods for inhibiting, ameliorating or alleviating the hyperproliferative cellular activity of diseases of the prostate, e.g., prostatic cancer and prostatic hyperplasia, which includes administering to a patient in need thereof an active vitamin D analogue. Cell differentiation is promoted, induced or enhanced without causing to the patient dose-limiting hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria.

Abstract: The disclosure is of methods of treating various skin disorders, including skin cancer, with compounds of novel 1.alpha.-hydroxy vitamin D.sub.4 and novel analogues, thereof, including 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D.sub.4 and 1,24 dihydroxy vitamin D.sub.4. Novel 1.alpha.-hydroxy vitamin D.sub.4 compounds and compounds of novel analogues suitable for use in the treatment of such disorders are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: 1.alpha.-Hydroxy-24-epi-vitamin D.sub.4 and novel intermediates formed in a novel method of preparing this compound. The method includes campesterol as a starting material which is converted to 24-epi-vitamin D.sub.4 which is in turn hydroxylated to 1.alpha.-hydroxy-24-epi-vitamin D.sub.4 via tosylated and cyclic derivatives of 24-epi-vitamin D.sub.4. 1.alpha.-Hydroxy-24-epi-vitamin D.sub.4 has been found to be bioactive.

Abstract: A method for preventing loss of bone mass or bone mineral content in a human being suffering from secondary hyperparathyroidism by administering a sufficient amount of 1.alpha.-OH vitamin D.sub.2, 1.alpha.,24(S)-(OH).sub.2 vitamin D.sub.2, 1.alpha.-OH vitamin D.sub.4 or 1.alpha.,24(R)-(OH).sub.2 vitamin D.sub.4.

Abstract: Method of increasing activated vitamin D blood level by administering orally a 1.alpha.-hydroxyprevitamin D. This previtamin D form increases vitamin D blood level without significant risk of hypercalcemia associated with other oral dosing of vitamin D forms. The 1.alpha.-hydroxyprevitamin is compounded into a pharmaceutical composition in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

Abstract: Method of increasing activated vitamin D blood level by administering orally a 1.alpha.-hydroxyprevitamin D or a delayed and sustained release formulation of activated vitamin D or a combination thereof. Both the previtamin D form and the delayed and sustained release activated vitamin D formulation increase vitamin D blood level without significant risk of hypercalcemia associated with other oral dosing of vitamin D forms.

Abstract: A method for preventing loss of bone mass or bone mineral content in a human being suffering from secondary hyperparathyroidism by administering a sufficient amount of 1.alpha.-OH vitamin D.sub.2, 1.alpha.,24(S)-(OH).sub.2 vitamin D.sub.2, 1.alpha.-OH vitamin D.sub.4 or 1.alpha.,24(R)-(OH).sub.2 vitamin D.sub.4.

Abstract: This invention relates to delayed and sustained release oral medicaments and, more specifically, to delayed and sustained release activated vitamin D, oral medicament.

Abstract: Novel 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 and novel analogues, 1,25 dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 and 1,24 dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 which are useful for the treatment of disorders of calcium metabolism. Preparation of the novel 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 starts from ergosterol which is converted in six steps to 22,23-dihydroergosterol. 22,23-dihydroergosterol was irradiated to yield Vitamin D.sub.4 which was converted in four steps to 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 using a cyclovitamin procedure which produced the novel intermediates, Vitamin D.sub.4 tosylate, 3,5 cyclovitamin D.sub.4 and 1.alpha.-hydroxy cyclovitamin D.sub.4. 1,25 dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 and 1,24 dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 are isolated as biological products of the metabolism of novel 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 using cultured human liver cells.

Abstract: A method for reversing loss of bone mass or bone mineral content in a human being suffering from osteoporosis is disclosed which comprises administering to the human being a daily dosage of at least 2.0 micrograms/day of 1-alpha-hydroxy-Vitamin D.sub.2.

Abstract: Lipid-containing, molded pharmaceutical compositions, comprising:(a) from about 10% to about 50% of a lipid material having a melting point of from about 26.degree. C. to about 37.degree. C.;(b) from about 10% to about 50% of a particulate dispersant material;(c) from about 0.1% to about 3% of an emulsifier; and(d) a safe and effective amount of a pharmaceutical active material;wherein the particulate materials in said composition have a mean particle size of from about 4 microns to about 10 microns, with less than about 10% of the particulates greater than about 30 microns in size. Preferably, the measured viscosity of the compositions is less than about 10,000 cps at about 40.degree. C.

Abstract: Support rod for use between a wall and a rail and having an outer tubular rod, an inner rod telescopically receivable within the outer rod, a spring within the outer rod and engagable with the inner rod for normally biasing it outwardly of the outer rod, engaging means on the free ends of the outer and inner rods, for engaging the wall and rail, retaining means on one of the engaging means extending into the free end of the outer rod, and, spring attachment means on the retaining means for attaching the spring within the outer rod.