Abstract: Methods for treating and preventing obesity, inhibiting adipocyte differentiation, inhibiting increased SCD-1 gene transcription, and/or reducing body fat in a subject include administering at least one analog of 1?,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 or 1?,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2 or a pharmaceutical composition that includes such an analog to a subject in need thereof. The analog may be a 19-nor vitamin D analog such as a compound of formula IA, a compound of formula IB, or a mixture thereof where the variables R1, R2, and R3 have the values described herein.

Abstract: A calcium formate composition for oral administration to an individual for the purpose of supplementary dietary calcium is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention discloses (20S)-1?-hydroxy-2-methylene-19-nor-bishomopregnacalciferol and pharmaceutical uses therefor. This compound exhibits pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells and inducing their differentiation to the monocyte thus evidencing use as an anti-cancer agent and for the treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis as well as skin conditions such as wrinkles, slack skin, dry skin and insufficient sebum secretion. This compound also has little, if any, calcemic activity and therefore may be used to treat immune disorders in humans as well as renal osteodystrophy.

Abstract: A method of minimizing or reducing the toxicity of a retinoid having a free carboxyl group is described. The method comprises the step of esterifying the carboxyl group of the retinoid with a highly sterically hindered compound, which is preferably an alcohol. The resulting retinoid esters are rendered much less toxic than the starting or parent retinoid. This process provides a retinoid ester analog of reduced toxicity so that it may be administered orally with minimal side effects and with a much greater therapeutic window.

Abstract: A method of preventing and/or treating inflammatory bowel disease, particularly ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, is disclosed. The method involves administering a 2-methylene-19-nor-vitamin D compound in an amount effective to treat the disease. The administration of a 2-methylene-19-nor-vitamin D compound also prevents the development of or delays the onset of inflammatory bowel disease in susceptible individuals. The preferred compounds are 1?-hydroxy-2-methylene-19-nor-homopregnacalciferol and 2-methylene-19-nor-20(S)-1?,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

Abstract: 2-Methylene-19-nor-24(S) and 24(R) derivatives of 1?,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2 are disclosed. These compounds are characterized by minimal bone calcium mobilization activity and relatively high intestinal calcium transport activity. This results in novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of diseases such as renal osteodystrophy, autoimmune diseases, and osteoporosis. These compounds also exhibit pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells and inducing their differentiation to the monocyte thus evidencing use as anticancer agents and for use treating skin diseases such as psoriasis.

Abstract: This invention provides pharmaceutical uses for 2-methylene-19-nor-20(S)-1?,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Administration of this compound increases the life expectancy of human beings, especially elderly human beings. In particular, it increases the survival rate of females lacking estrogen, especially post-menopausal females, and reduces mortality resulting from spontaneous development of malignant tumors in both males and females.

Abstract: Biologically active 19-nor vitamin D analogs substituted at C-2 in the A-ring with an ethylidene or an ethyl group. These compounds have preferential activity on mobilizing calcium from bone and either high or normal intestinal calcium transport activity which allows their in vivo administration for the treatment of metabolic bone diseases where bone loss is a major concern. These compounds are also characterized by high cell differentiation activity.

Abstract: The compound (20S)-1?-hydroxy-2 methylene-19 nor-vitamin D3 and pharmaceutical uses therefor are described herein. This compound exhibits pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells and inducing their differentiation to the monocyte thus evidencing use as an anti-cancer agent and for the tretment of skin diseases such as psoriasis as well as skin conditions such as wrinkles, slack skin, dry skin and insufficient sebum secretion. This compound also has very significant calcemic activity and therefore may be used to treat immune disorders in humans as well as metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel vitamin D analog, namely, 2-methylene-19-nor-20(S)-25-methyl-1?-hydroxycalciferol. The compound has the formula: This 2-substituted compound is characterized by relatively high intestinal calcium transport activity and relatively low bone calcium mobilization activity resulting in novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of diseases where bone formation is desired, particularly osteoporosis. These compounds also exhibit pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells and inducing their differentiation to the monocyte thus evidencing use as anti-cancer agents and for the treatment of diseases such as psoriasis.