Abstract: The present invention provides novel conformationally-defined macrocyclic compounds that have been demonstrated to be selective modulators of the ghrelin receptor (growth hormone secretagogue receptor, GHS-R1a and subtypes, isoforms and variants thereof). Methods of synthesizing the novel compounds are also described herein. These compounds are useful as agonists of the ghrelin receptor and as medicaments for treatment and prevention of a range of medical conditions including, but not limited to, metabolic and/or endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular disorders, obesity and obesity-associated disorders, central nervous system disorders, genetic disorders, hyperproliferative disorders and inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: There are provided vanadium compositions for use in the treatment of hypertension, obesity and diabetes, in particular improved oral compositions comprising oxovanadium (IV) chelates of monoprotic, bidentate oxygen, oxygen and oxygen, nitrogen coordinating ligands especially kojic acid and maltol.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition useful for lowering blood sugar and suppressing appetite in mammals. The composition comprises compounds of a formula selected from VOL.sub.2 or VO(OR)L.sub.2 in which L is a bidentate monoprotic ligand and R is an organic group. The composition includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention also provides a method of lowering blood sugar and suppressing appetite in a mammal that comprises administering to the mammal a compound of the above formula.