Abstract: The present invention relates to N-long chain acyl neutral amino acid esters of the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X represents an ester-forming residue of a sterol; COR represents a long chain acyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are identical or different from each other, each represents a hydrogen atom or a straight chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together form an alkylene group; and n represents 0, 1 or 2. The compounds are particularly useful in cosmetic or pharmaceutical preparations for external use.

Abstract: This invention provides a simplified method for converting pregnan-3,20-dione compounds to 3.alpha.-hydroxy,3.beta.-substituted-pregnanes. By selective use of reagents the unprotected dione is converted chemoselectively and diastereoselectively into a 3(R)-pregnan-3-spiro-2'oxirane-20-one intermediate. This intermediate can then be converted regioselectively by a second set of reactions to the 3.alpha.-hydroxy,3.beta.-substituted-20-one form, which can be further modified at the 20-keto position.Through this method, each ketone group is independently treated. By modifying the ketones one at a time, one can obtain the desired stereo-specificity at each site.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the preparation of (25R)-26-aminocholesterol, a potent inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis, from (25R)-16-oxo-26-phthalimidocholesterol.

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides of human regulatory subunit RI-alpha of cAMP-dependent protein kinases are disclosed along with pharmaceutical compositions containing these oligonucleotides as the active ingredients. These antisense oligonucleotides have been shown to inhibit the growth of several cancer cell lines including HL-60, human colon carcinoma LS-174T, neuroblastoma cells, breast cancer cells, and gastric carcinoma cells. In addition, these oligonucleotides can inhibit the growth of human colon carcinoma cells transplanted in athymic mice.

Abstract: The invention relates to 11-aryl steroid derivatives, having the structure ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 are as described in the specificationand to processes for their preparation and to pharmaceuticals comprising these compounds.These compounds exhibit a strong anti-progestinic activity and a weak or non-existent anti-glucocorticoid activity.

Abstract: There are described antitumour sterols, their fatty acid esters and glucosides, processes for their preparation, spontaneously dispersible agents containing these sterols, their fatty acid esters and glucosides, and their use for treating tumours.

Abstract: A process is provided for treating an edible animal fat to reduce the content of components having free hydroxyl groups. The process comprises forming a reaction mixture from the fat and a cyclic anhydride such as succinic or glutaric anhydride, heating the mixture to a temperature promoting conversion of these components to hemisuccinates or hemiglutarates, and subjecting the reacted fat to alkali-refining to remove the converted components as water-soluble soaps. The process is particularly useful for reducing the cholesterol content of the animal fats.

Abstract: New 11.beta.-phenyl-14.beta.H-steroids of general formula (I), where Z is an oxygen atom or the hydroxyimino-grouping N.about.OH, and M and N are either jointly a second compound or L is a hydrogen atom and M is an .alpha.-permanent hydroxy group and either A and B together are a second compound and D is a hydrogen atom, where R.sup.1 is a five or six-part heteroalkyl residue or a cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl or aryl residue or A is a hydrogen atom and B and D together are a methylene bridge, where R.sup.1 besides the aforementioned residues may be a possibly substituted hydrocarbon residue with up to 10 C atoms, a possibly substituted amino group, a hydroxy or C.sub.1-8 alkoxy, mercapto or thioalkyl group, R.sup.2 is a methyl or ethyl residue, and R.sup.3 /R.sup.4 represents the usual combination of substituents on the C17 atom in steroid chemistry, having antigestagenic and other properties.

Abstract: Encapsulated PI compositions such as liposomes containing plant PI and th use to prevent mitogenic transformation of normal splenic lymphoid cells (including lymphocytes transformed induced by treatment of cells with lipid A) by exposing the cells thereto.

Abstract: The process of the invention comprises reacting a C-22-halo-23,24-bisnorsteroid or C-22-halo-23,24-bisnor-9,10-secosteroid with a nickel complex of an electron withdrawing alkene of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen, hydroxycarbonyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkylcarbonyl or unsubstituted or substituted lower alkyl, and R.sub.2 is hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, or unsubstituted or substituted lower alkyl,to yield a C-25 or C-26 precursor of the formula ##STR2## which is appropriately functionalized for conversion into the corresponding steroid or secosteroid by treatment as hereinafter described.

Abstract: A Derivative of 5-hetero-6-oxo-PGE A derivative of 5-hetero-6-oxo-PGE of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is (1) a group of the formula: COOR11(2) hydroxymethylcarbonyl,(3) hydroxymethyl or(4) a group of the formula:CO--AAwherein AA is an amino acid-residue,Z is oxygen, sulfur or a group of the formula: NR21 wherein R21 is hydrogen or alkyl of C1--4;R2 is a single-bond or alkylene of C1--4;R3 isi) alkyl of C1-7,ii) cycloalkyl of C4-7 or cycloalkyl of C4-7 substituted by alkyl of C1-7,iii) phenyl, phenoxy, phenyl or phenoxy substituted by one group selected from alkyl of C1-4, halogen and trihalomethyl, is single-bond or a double bond.Possess PG-like activity, especially cytoprotection, and therefore are useful for treatment for and/or prevention of cytodamage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to liposome preparations. In particular, the present invention relates to Adriamycin-entrapped liposome preparations comprising cholesterol derivatives having a negative charge as a liposome membrane constituent. Adriamycin-entrapped liposome preparations have many uses in the medical field such as maintaining high Adriamycin blood levels over a long period of time and reducing systemic toxicity, for example.

Abstract: Herein are disclosed (1) an oil-soluble N-long chained acyl acidic amino acid mono- or di-ester having at least one sterol ester in the molecule, which is a novel compound of excellent emulsifying and hydrating performances, (2) an oily composition consisting of or comprising a mixture of such esters, and (3) perfuming cosmetics blended with such ester or such oily composition.

Abstract: A process for the production of 3-deoxy-4-ene steroids of the general formula I ##STR1## is described, in which R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 mean a hydrogen atom or a methyl group,R.sub.4 represents a lower alkyl group, a phenyl group or a free, esterified or etherified hydroxy group,R.sub.5 symbolizes a hydrogen atom, a vinyl group or the grouping --C.tbd.CR.sub.6 with R.sub.6 meaning a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group with a maximum of 4 carbon atoms or a halogen atom,X represents a methylene group, a fluoromethylene group, an ethylidene group or a vinylidene group,Y and U represent a methylene group or an ethylidene group andZ symbolizes a methylene group, an ethylidene group, a vinylidene group, a chloromethylene group or a hydroxymethylene group and in which the bonds represent three single bonds or one double bond and two single bonds or a conjugated double bond.

Abstract: Aldosterone biosynthesis inhibitors having substantially no intrinsic antiandrogenic activity are disclosed as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and methods of treatment utilizing these compositions.

Abstract: A compound selected from the group consisting of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkylthio and haloalkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkenyl and alkynyl of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, optionally substituted arylthio of 6 to 10 carbon atoms, aryl of 6 to 12 carbon atoms, acyl of an organic carboxylic acid of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, --CN, cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms and --(CH.sub.2).sub.m --Re, m is an integer from 1 to 3, Re is --OH or --SH or --Salk, Alk is alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, X is selected from the group consisting of oxygen, N--O--R.sub.1, ##STR2## or =X is H.sub.2 or ##STR3## R.sub.A and R.sub.B are individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen and alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R.sub.1 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon, R' is hydrogen or acyl, the wavy lines indicate --or -position, Y is selected from the group consisting of oxygen, NOR, ##STR4## or =Y is ##STR5## H.sub.

Abstract: Novel 3-keto-19-nor-.DELTA..sup.4,9 -steroids of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of naphthyl, phenylphenyl, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 2 to 6 carbon atoms optionally containing additional unsaturations, phenoxy, furyl, cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, thienyl optionally substituted with at least one member of the group consisting of halogen and alkyl and haloalkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms and phenyl optionally substituted with at least one member of the group consisting of --OH, halogen, --CF.sub.3, alkyl and alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkenyloxy of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, phenoxy and alkylthio of 1 to 6 carbon atoms optionally oxidized to the sulfoxide or sulfone, R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl and ethyl, R.sub.

Abstract: Invented are carboxyl and carboxyl alkyl ester substituted 11-keto and hydroxy analogues of synthetic steroidal compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, and methods of using these compounds to inhibit steroid 5-.alpha.-reductase.

Abstract: Lanosterols substituted in the 14 and/or 15 position(s) which are active in inhibiting lanosta-8,24-dien-3.beta.-ol 14.alpha.-methyl-demethylase activity, suppressing 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) activity, decreasing cholesterol synthesis and reducing serum cholesterol levels are disclosed.

Abstract: New 14.alpha.-carboxyalkyl sterols are regulators of HMG-CoA reductase and inhibitors of mammalian 14.alpha.-methyl demethylase and are useful in lowering serum cholesterol levels and treating fungal infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel quaternary ammonium-substituted sterol derivative of the following formula: ##STR1## wherein Q represents an anion of a strong inorganic acid, A represents an oxygen, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, t, n, and the sterol Rst are defined as herein. The compounds of the present invention as a result of introducing a cationic group into hydroxy group of sterols of ethoxylated compounds thereof which are non-ionic, shows the enhanced substantivity against substrate having, on its surface, an anionic characters under normal conditions such as skin and hair of human being. The compound of the present invention can be used in the field of cosmetics.

Abstract: Diacyl phosphatides having a polyunsaturated carboxylic acid at the 2 position are found to have cytotoxic effect against tumor cells. Subject compositions may be employed in vivo or in vitro for inhibiting tumor cell growth, either by themselves or in combination with other cytotoxic drugs. The compositions may be administered as liposomes.

Abstract: The invention provides a new vitamin D.sub.2 compound, 1.alpha.-hydroxy-24-epi-vitamin D.sub.2 and certain hydroxy-protected derivatives thereof. The new compound exhibits a distinctive activity pattern comprising high potency in stimulating intestinal calcium transport and little or no activity in inducing bone calcium mobilization or the differentiation of undifferentiated cells in culture, thereby evincing utility in the treatment of diseases characterized by loss of bone mass.

Abstract: A physical property-improving reagent which comprises an alkenoylcarbamate compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, X is an oxygen atom (--O--), a sulfur atom (--S--) or a substituted or unsubstituted imino group (--NR'--), R' being a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and Y is the residue of an active hydrogen atom-containing compound excluding --X-H therefrom dissolved in an organic solvent having a solubility parameter of not less than 8, which can impact excellent physical properties to a polymer produced with the same.

Abstract: Novel radioiodinated analogues of naturally-occurring cholestrol esters, arylaliphatic cholesteryl ethers, are selective for low density lipoproteins and have been shown to be successful imaging agents for adrenal glands. The arylaliphatic cholesteryl ethers have the general formula: ##STR1## where X is a radioactive isotope of iodine and n is an integer between 1 and 20. Two illustrative examples, m-iodobenzyl cholesteryl ether and 12-(m-iodophenyl) dodecyl cholesteryl ether, were radiolabeled with .sup.125 I by an isotope exchange reaction. Tissue distribution studies indicate significant accumulation of the cholesteryl ethers in the adrenal glands, and to a lesser extent in the liver. The cholesteryl ethers selectively incorporate into plasma lipoproteins as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method of substituting a chlorine atom for a predetermined hydrogen atom located within an organic compound which comprises contacting the organic compound containing the predetermined hydrogen atom with an esterifying agent comprising a pyridine ring or a substituted or fused ring derivative of a pyridine ring so as to produce an ester and treating the ester with a chlorinating agent so as to substitute the chlorine atom for the predetermined hydrogen atom. The ester comprises the pyridine ring or the substituted or fused ring derivative of the pyridine ring so positioned within the ester with respect to the predetermined hydrogen atom that a chlorine atom attached to the nitrogen atom of the pyridine ring or substituted or fused ring derivative of the pyridine ring reacts with the predetermined hydrogen atom.