Abstract: A vane pump comprising a central shaft adapted to receive a rotational force from the outside, a ring gear formed in a hollow portion provided in the shaft, a linear gear formed on one end of a constant velocity coupling and meshed with the ring gear, and a ring gear formed in a hollow portion of an inner rotor and meshed with a linear gear formed on the other end of the constant velocity coupling, whereby it is rendered possible to rotate the shaft and inner rotor at an equal speed, insert a circular portion formed at one end of a vane into a circular hollow space of the inner rotor, bring the other end of the vane into contact with an inner surface of an outer rotor, and vary the volumes of a compression chamber and a supply chamber, the air being thereby compressed, so that high-pressure compressed air can be obtained by a small-volume vane pump without encountering the collision of parts causative of noise.

Abstract: Compounds of the pregnane series are described having general formula (I) or their solvates in which R.sub.1 individually represents --OC(.dbd.O)C.sub.1-6 alkyl; R.sub.2 individually represents hydrogen, methyl (which may be in the .alpha. or .beta. configuration) or methylene; or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together represent formula (a) where R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are the same or different and each represents hydrogen or C.sub.1-6 alkyl; R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are the same or different and each represents hydrogen or halogen; and represents a single or a double bond. Compounds of formula (I) and their solvates are useful as anti-inflammatory or anti-allergic agents.