| abstract |
Use of a 24-hydroxyvitamin D compound in treating or preventing bone loss or bone mineral content, and/or hyperparathyroidism, and/or hyperproliferation, or modulation of the immune and inflammatory responses. The 24-hydroxyvitamin D compound is represented by formula (I) or formula (III). With reference to formulae (I) and (III), Z represents a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, straight-chain, branched or cyclic C4-C18 hydrocarbon group in which the C-24 is hydroxylated. Y is a methylene group if Y is double bonded to the A-ring or a methyl group or hydrogen if Y is single bonded. X is hydrogen, lower alkyl or lower fluoroalkyl. |