A reagent composition for releasing vitamin D compounds bound to vitamin D-binding protein and an in vitro method for the detection of a vitamin D compound in which the vitamin D compound is released from vitamin D-binding protein by the use of this reagent composition as well as the reagent mixture obtained in this manner. Also disclosed is the use of the reagent compositions to release vitamin D compounds as well as a kit for detecting a vitamin D compound.

A reagent composition for releasing vitamin D compounds bound to vitamin D-binding protein and an in vitro method for the detection of a vitamin D compound in which the vitamin D compound is released from vitamin D-binding protein by the use of this reagent composition as well as the reagent mixture obtained in this manner. Also disclosed is the use of the reagent compositions to release vitamin D compounds as well as a kit for detecting a vitamin D compound.

Provided are vitamin D.sub.3 derivatives of formula (I), pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and pharmaceutical or medical uses thereof for treating metabolic disease, a liver disease, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer in a patient in need thereof.

A method of producing vitamin D is provided. The method comprising: (a) growing E. huxleyi under controlled UV-B radiation; and (b) dehydrating the E. huxleyi.

A method of producing vitamin D is provided. The method comprising: (a) growing E. huxleyi under controlled UV-B radiation; and (b) dehydrating the E. huxleyi.

A stabilized 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.2 composition which is particularly well suited for pharmaceutical formulations, pharmaceutical formulations of the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.2 composition, and a method of making the purified composition by purifying a crude 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.2 from acetone/water, are disclosed.

A stabilized 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.2 composition which is particularly well suited for pharmaceutical formulations, pharmaceutical formulations of the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.2 composition, and a method of making the purified composition by purifying a crude 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.2 from acetone/water, are disclosed.

Disclosed are 1,25-dihydroxy-24,24-difluoro-2-methylene-19-nor-vitamin D analogs and their pharmaceutical uses. These new vitamin D analogs are 19-nor-vitamin D analogs having two fluorine atom substitutions at the 24 position (C-24) in the side chain and optionally having a 2-methylene substituent.

Disclosed are 1,25-dihydroxy-24,24-difluoro-2-methylene-19-nor-vitamin D analogs and their pharmaceutical uses. These new vitamin D analogs are 19-nor-vitamin D analogs having two fluorine atom substitutions at the 24 position (C-24) in the side chain and optionally having a 2-methylene substituent.

This invention discloses 2-methylene-(22E)-25-hexanoyl-24-oxo-26,27-cyclo-22-dehydro-19-nor-vitamin D analogs, and specifically 2-methylene-(22E)-25-hexanoyl-24-oxo-26,27-cyclo-22-dehydro-19-nor-1-hydroxyvitamin D.sub.3, and pharmaceutical uses therefor. This compound exhibits relatively high transcription activity as well as 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 shows low activity in vivo on bone calcium mobilization, and therefore may be used to treat autoimmune disorders or inflammatory diseases in humans as well as renal osteodystrophy. This compound may also be used for the treatment or prevention of obesity.