1.alpha.-hydroxy vitamin D.sub.4 and novel intermediates and analogues

Abstract

Novel 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 and novel analogues, 1,25 dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 and 1,24 dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 which are useful for the treatment of disorders of calcium metabolism. Preparation of the novel 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 starts from ergosterol which is converted in six steps to 22,23-dihydroergosterol. 22,23-dihydroergosterol was irradiated to yield Vitamin D.sub.4 which was converted in four steps to 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 using a cyclovitamin procedure which produced the novel intermediates, Vitamin D.sub.4 tosylate, 3,5 cyclovitamin D.sub.4 and 1.alpha.-hydroxy cyclovitamin D.sub.4. 1,25 dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 and 1,24 dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 are isolated as biological products of the metabolism of novel 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 using cultured human liver cells.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to biologically active Vitamin D.sub.4 compounds. More specifically, this invention relates to novel 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 and novel intermediates used in its synthesis, novel 1,25 dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 and novel 1,24 dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4.

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D is known to be important in the regulation of calcium metabolism in animals and man. See, Harrison's Principals of Internal Medicine: Part Eleven, "Disorders of Bone and Mineral Metabolism, Chapter 335," in E. Braunwald, K. J. Isselbacher, R. G. Petersdorf, J. D. Wilson, J. B. Martin and A. S. Fauci (eds.), Calcium, Phosphorous, and Bone Metabolism: Calcium Regulating Hormones, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1987, pp. 1860-1865. The two most commonly known, useful forms of Vitamin D are Vitamin D.sub.3 and Vitamin D.sub.2. Vitamin D.sub.3 is synthesized endogenously in the skin of animals and man, whereas Vitamin D.sub.2 is the form of Vitamin D supplied by plants. Vitamin D.sub.2 differs from Vitamin D.sub.3 in that it contains a double bond between C22 and C23 and further contains a C24-methyl group. In man and rats, Vitamin D.sub.3 and Vitamin D.sub.2 have equivalent biopotency.

Vitamin D.sub.4, also known as irradiated 22-dihydroergosterol or 22,23-dihydro Vitamin D.sub.2 or 22,23-dihydroergocalciferol, differs from Vitamin D.sub.3 in that it contains a C24 methyl group. Vitamin D.sub.4 was first described in 1936. Grab, W., Z. Physiol. Chem., 243:63 (1936); McDonald, F. G., J. Biol. Chem., 114:IVX (1936). See also Windhaus, A. and Trautmann, G., Z. Physiol. Chem., 247:185-188 (1937). These references report some disagreement as to the level of biological activity of the Vitamin suggesting that in the rat, Vitamin D.sub.4 is one-third or three-fourths as active as Vitamin D.sub.3 and in the chick, either one-tenth or one-fifth as active as Vitamin D.sub.3.

A more definitive study of the biological activity of Vitamin D.sub.4 was made by DeLuca, et. al., in 1968. DeLuca, H. F., Weller, M., Blunt, J. W. and Neville, P. F., Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 124:122-128 (1968). There, the authors confirmed that Vitamin D.sub.4 was less active than Vitamin D.sub.3. DeLuca, et. al., reports that in their hands Vitamin D.sub.4 is two-thirds as active as Vitamin D.sub.3 or Vitamin D.sub.2 in the rat, and one-fifth as active as Vitamin D.sub.3 in the chick.

DeLuca, et. al., make reference to the fact that "[t] the synthesis of Vitamin D.sub.4 has apparently been little used since it was first described by Windhaus and Trautmann," and comment, "this is perhaps due to the fact that Vitamin D.sub.4 is only of academic interest."

To applicants' knowledge, Vitamin D.sub.4 has remained "only of academic interest" as applicants are unaware of any further study of Vitamin D.sub.4 since that reported by DeLuca, et. al. In fact, The Merck Index states with respect to Vitamin D.sub.4, "Its biological activity seems doubtful." "Merck Index," S. Budavari (ed.), 11th ed., Merck & Co., Rathway, N.J., 1989, pp. 1579, #9930.

Since DeLuca, et. al., discovered the active form of Vitamin D.sub.3, 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.3, (U.S. Pat. No. 3,697,559) and its synthetic precursor, 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.3, (U.S. Pat. No. 3,741,996) most interest has centered on developing therapeutic uses of these active Vitamin D.sub.3 metabolites. Unfortunately, while the Vitamin D.sub.3 metabolites held great promise as therapeutic agents, this promise has never been fully realized because of the extreme toxicity of these agents. What is needed is a biopotent Vitamin D metabolite of low toxicity such that the drug is practical as a therapeutic agent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The novel compounds of the invention 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4, 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 and 1,24-dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4, are bioactive forms of Vitamin D.sub.4. The present inventors have discovered that these active forms of Vitamin D.sub.4 display much greater biopotency than would be predicted on the basis of the previously reported bioassays of Vitamin D.sub.4. The present inventors have also discovered, that the bioactive novel compounds are less toxic than would be predicted on the basis of their biopotency. This combination of high activity with low toxicity makes the compounds of the invention useful as therapeutic agents in the treatment of disorders of calcium metabolism.

In order to study the novel compounds of the invention, it was necessary to develop processes for their production. One alpha-hydroxy vitamin D.sub.4 was made synthetically and in the course of that synthesis novel intermediates were also produced. 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 and 1,24-dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 are isolated as biological products of the metabolism of 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4. The following disclosure describes the novel compounds and the processes for their production.

The biologically active compounds of the present invention have the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 is either H or OH, and

R.sub.2 is either H or OH but R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 cannot both has OH.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 depicts the synthesis of vitamin D.sub.4 from ergosterol. FIG. 2 depicts the synthesis of 1.alpha.-hydroxy vitamin D.sub.4 from vitamin D.sub.4.

Example 1: Synthesis of 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4

Synthesis of 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 was accomplished according to the plan presented in the schema of FIGS. 1 and 2. The synthesis began with ergosterol as the starting material which was converted in six steps to 22,23-dihydroergosterol (VIII) according to the procedure of Barton, et. al., JCS Perkin I, 1976, 821-826. 22,23-dihydroergosterol was then irradiated as described in Windhaus, et. al., Z. Physiol. Chem., 1937, 147:185, to yield Vitamin D.sub.4 [22,23-dihydroergocalciferol] (IX). See, FIG. 1. Vitamin D.sub.4 was then converted in four steps to 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 using a procedure analogous to that described by Paaren, et. al., J. Org. Chem., 1980, 45:3253.

Detailed Procedure of Synthesis of 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4

Ergosterol (II) was converted to ergosterol acetate (III) by dissolving 100 g. (0.25 mol.) ergosterol in 600 ml. of anhydrous pyridine and 68 ml. (0.7 mol.) acetic anhydride. The solution was stirred overnight at room temperature after which time the solution was cooled by adding 1.2L. ice, causing a precipitate to form. The precipitate was washed five times with 400 ml. portions of water, then once with 400 ml. of CH.sub.3 CN. The resulting product was air dried to yield 79 g. (71%) of ergosterol acetate as a white crystalline solid. m.p.: 169.degree.-171.degree. C.; .sup.1 H NMR: (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3), .delta.ppm 2.05 (3H, s, 3.beta.-CH.sub.3 CO), 4.65.sup..about. 4.75 (1H, m, 3.alpha.-H) 5.15.sup..about. 5.25 (2H, m, 22-H and 23-H), 5.4 (1H, d, 6-H), 5.6 (1H, d, 7-H) FTIR [KBr] 1734 cm.sup.-1 (C=O stretching) 968 cm.sup.-1 (C-H bending).

Ergosterol acetate (III) was dissolved in 2.5L. freshly distilled deoxygenated toluene. To this solution 9 ml. (0.111 mol.) chromyl chloride dissolved in 240 ml. dry CH.sub.2 CL.sub.2 was added under nitrogen at -78.degree. C. over a thirty minute period. The reaction system was stirred at -78.degree. C. for an additional fifteen minutes and then 62 ml. of a saturated solution of sodium borohydride in ethanol was added in one portion. After stirring at -78.degree. C. for an additional fifteen minutes, the reaction solution was poured into a two phase system of 3N hydrochloric acid (3L.) and benzene (3L.). The organic layer was separated, then washed with water (2L.), twice with a brine solution (2.times.1L.) and then dried with anhydrous MgSO.sub.4. The dried solution was filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude crystalline product was then treated with CH.sub.3 CN (280ml.) and filtration of the thus formed slurry yielded 12.5g. (41%) of white crystalline 3.beta.-Acetoxy-6.alpha.-chloroergosta-7,22-dien-5.alpha.-ol (IV). m.p.: 190.degree.-192.degree. C.; .sup.1 H NMR: (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3), .beta.ppm 2.05 (3H, s, 3.beta.-OAc), 4.65 (1H, d, 6.beta.-H), 5.1 (1H, s, 7-H), 5.1.sup..about.5.3 (2H, m, 22-H and 23-H), FTIR [KBr] 1732 cm.sup.-1 (C=O stretching), 968 cm.sup.-1 (C-H bending), 3437 cm.sup.-1 (O-H stretching).

The 3.beta.-Acetoxy 6.alpha.-chloroergosta-7,22-dien-5.alpha.-ol (IV) (21.4 g., 0.044 mol.) in dry THF (900 ml.) was added slowly to a stirred suspension of lithium aluminium hydride (2.66 g., 0.07 mol.) in dry THF (750 ml.) at room temperature under nitrogen. The mixture was refluxed for three hours and cooled to 0.degree. C. Excess hydride was decomposed with saturated Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 solution. Filtration through anhydrous Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and evaporation of the filtrate gave a solid, which was treated directly with acetic anhydride (110 ml.) and dry pyridine (220 ml.) at 0.degree. C. Removal of solvent under reduced pressure yielded the acetate (12.75 g., 61%), 3.beta.-Acetoxyergosta-7,22-dien-5.alpha.-ol (V). m.p.: 229.degree.-232.degree. C.; FTIR [KBr] 1736 cm.sup.-1 (C=O stretching), 3460 cm.sup.-1 (O-H stretching), 972 cm.sup.-1 (C-H bending).

3.beta.-Acetoxyergosta-7,22-dien-5.alpha.-ol (V) (2.5 g., 0.0055 mol.) was shaken for sixteen hours with freshly prepared PtO.sub.2 (0.5 g.) in ethyl acetate (820 ml.) under H.sub.2 gas (15 lbs/sq. in.). The catalyst was removed by filtration and evaporation of the filtrate gave the crude acetate which was dissolved in CH.sub.2 CL.sub.2 and chromatographed on silica gel. Elution with CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 gave substantially pure 3.beta.-Acetoxyergost-7-en-5.alpha.-ol (VI) (2.15 g., 85%) as a white crystalline material. m.p.: 228.degree.-232.degree. C.; .sup.1 H NMR: (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3), .delta.ppm 2.05 (3H, s, 3.beta.-OAc), 5.05.sup..about. 5.20 (2H, m, 3.alpha.-H and 7-H) FTIR [KBr] 1736 cm.sup.-1 (C=O stretching), 3462 cm.sup.-1 (O-H stretching).

Redistilled thionyl chloride (9.7 ml.) in dry pyridine (170 ml.) was added to compound 3.beta.-Acetoxyergost-7-en-5.alpha.-ol (VI) (12.0 g., 0.0262 mol.) in dry pyridine (800 ml.) at 0.degree. C. under nitrogen. After 2.5 hours, the solution was diluted with ice cold H.sub.2 O (1.5 L.) and extracted with two portions of ether (2.5 L.+1.5 L.). The combined ether extracts were washed with a NaHCO.sub.3 solution (1.0 L.times.2), then 1N HCl (1.5 L..times.2) and then water (1 L.). The ether solution was dried with MgSO.sub.4, and after filtration, evaporated under reduced pressure to yield a crude product which was converted to a slurry with CH.sub.3 CN (100 ml.). The product was collected by filtration and recrystallized from CH.sub.3 CN to yield 4.5 g. (39%) of a white crystalline 22,23-dihydroergosteryl acetate (VII). m.p.: 144.degree.-147.degree. C.; .sup.1 H NMR: (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3), .delta.ppm 2.05 (3H, s, 3.beta.-OAc), 4.65.sup..about. 4.75 (1H, m, 3.alpha.-H), 5.4 (1H, d, 6-H), 5.6 (1H, d, 7-H) FTIR [KBr] 1734 cm.sup.-1 (C=O stretching).

Compound 22,23-dihydroergosteryl acetate (VII) (4.8 g., 0.011 mol.) was added at once to a stirred suspension of lithium aluminium hydride (2.5 g., 0.066 mol.) in dry ether (1.1 L.) at room temperature. The mixture was stirred for two hours at room temperature. 5N NaOH was added to destroy excess lithium aluminium hydride and H.sub.2 O (500 ml.) was then added. The aqueous solution was then extracted with four 250 ml. portions of ether. The combined ether extracts and combined organic layer were washed with brine solution (1 L.), then dried with Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4. Evaporation of ether under reduced pressure gave the compound, 22,23-dihydroergosterol, (VIII) (4.1 g., 94%) as a white crystalline material. m.p.: 147.degree.-150.degree. C.; .sup.1 H NMR: (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3), .delta.ppm 3.6.sup..about. 3.7 (1H, m, 3.alpha.-H), 5.4 (1H, d, 6H), 5.6 (1H, d, 7-H) FTIR [KBr] 3400 cm.sup.-1 (O-H stretching).

22,23-dihydroergosterol (VIII) (2.0 g., 5.0 mmol.) was dissolved in a solution of diethyl ether and benzene (4:1, 600 ml.) and irradiated (Hannovia immersion lamp 450 watts) with stirring under argon in a water cooled quartz vessel for three hours. The solution was concentrated in vacuo to yield a gummy liquid, redissolved in 100 ml. of ethanol and heated at reflux under argon for eight hours. Then, the solution was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was adsorbed on a silica gel column and eluted with 30% ethyl acetate in hexane to afford Vitamin D.sub.4 (22,23-dihydroergocalciferol) (IX). 1.2 g. (60%). .sup.1 H NMR: (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3), .delta.ppm 0.55 (3H, s, 18-H.sub.3) 0.78 (6H, dd, 26-H.sub.3 and 27-H.sub.3) 0.87 (3H, d, 21-H.sub.3) 0.93 (3H, d, 28-H.sub.3) 3.94 (1H, m, 3-H) 4.82 (1H, m (sharp), 19-H), 5.04 (1H, m (sharp), 19-H), 6.04 (1H, d, 7-H) 6.24 (1H, d, 6-H).

To a stirred solution of Vitamin D.sub.4 (IX) (3.0 g., 7.5 mmol.) in 10 ml. of dry pyridine was added freshly recrystallized p-toluenesulfonyl chloride (3.6 g., 19 mmol.) at 0.degree. C. The reaction mixture was stirred at 5.degree. C. or 24 hours and was then quenched by pouring the mixture over ice and saturated NaHCO.sub.3 (100 ml.) with stirring. The aqueous suspension was extracted with CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 (3.times.300 ml.). The combined organic extracts were washed with 10% HCl (3.times.200 ml.), saturated NaHCO.sub.3 (3.times.200 ml.) and saturated NaCl (2.times.200 ml.) , dried over MgSO.sub.4 and concentrated in vacuo to yield 3.5 g. (84%) of the novel intermediate compound Vitamin D.sub.4 tosylate (X) . .sup.1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3), .delta.ppm 0.54 (3H, s, 18-H.sub.3) 0.78 (6H, dd, 26-H.sub. 3 and 27-H.sub.3) 0.87 (3H, d, 21-H.sub.3), 0.96 (3H, d, 28-H.sub.3) 2.45 (3H, s, CH.sub.3 (tosylate) 4.68 (3H, m, 3-H) 4.82 (1H, m (sharp), 19-H) 5.04 (1H, m (sharp), 19-H), 5.95 (1H, d 7-H), 6.09 (1H, d, 6-H) 7.34 and 7.79 (4H, d, aromatic).

To a stirred suspension of NaHCO.sub.3 (17.0 g., 202 mmol.) in methanol (200 ml.) was added dropwise to a solution of Vitamin D.sub.4 tosylate (X) (3.5. g., 6.3 mmol.) in dry CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 (10 ml.). The reaction mixture was refluxed overnight under argon. Cooled to room temperature and concentrated in vacuo to about 50 ml. The reaction concentrate was diluted with ether (600 ml.), washed with water (3.times.300 ml.), dried over MgSO.sub.4 and concentrated in vacuo and the residue was passed through a silica gel column and eluted with 10% ethyl acetate in hexane to afford the novel intermediate compound 3,5 cyclovitamin D.sub.4 (XI) (heavy oil) 1.5 g. (58%). .sup.1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3), .delta.ppm 0.56 (3H, s, 18-H.sub.3) 0.78 (6H, dd, 26-H.sub.3 and 27-H.sub.3), 0.87 (3H, d, 21-H.sub.3), 0.94 (3H, d, 28-H.sub.3), 3.28 (3H, s, OCH.sub.3) 4.2 (1H, d, 6-H), 4.91 (1H, m (sharp), 19-H), 4.98 (1H, d 7-H), 5.08 (1H, m (sharp), 19-H).

Anhydrous tert-butyl hydroperoxide in toluene (3M) (2.6 ml., 7.8 mmol.) was added to a stirred suspension of selenium dioxide (0.22 g., 2 mmol.) in dry CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 (150 ml.) in a three necked flask. The mixture was stirred for three hours under argon. Pyridine (0.3 ml., 3.7 mmol.) was then added and then cyclovitamin D.sub.4 (XI) (1.5 g., 3.6 mmol.) was introduced as a solution in CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 (50 ml.). After stirring for thirty minutes, 10% aqueous NaOH solution (200 ml.) was added and then the reaction mixture was diluted with ether (500 ml) and the phases were separated. The organic phase was washed with 10% NaOH (3.times.200 ml.), water (2.times.200 ml.) and saturated NaCl solution (2.times.200 ml.), dried over MgSO.sub.4 and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was absorbed on a silica gel column and eluted with 30% ethyl acetate in hexane to afford 0.45 g. (29%) of the novel intermediate compound 1.alpha.-hydroxy 3,5-cyclovitamin D.sub.4 (XII) (oil). .sup.1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3), .delta.ppm 0.54 (3H, s, 18-H.sub.3) 0.78 (6H, dd, 26-H.sub.3 and 27-H.sub.3) 0.86 (3H, d, 21-H.sub.3) 0.95 (3H, d, 28-H.sub.3) 3.26 (3H, s, OCH.sub.3) 4.2 (1H, d, 6-H), 4.22 (1H, m, 1-H), 4.95 (1H, d 7-H), 5.18 (1H, d, 19-H) 5.25 (1H, d, 19-H).

A solution of 1.alpha.-hydroxy 3,5-cyclovitamin D.sub.4 (XII) (0.45 g., 1.05 mmol.) in a solution of dimethyl sulfoxide (4.5 ml.) and glacial acetic acid (3.6 ml.) was heated to 50.degree. C. under argon for one hour. The reaction mixture was then poured over ice and saturated NaHCO.sub.3 solution (100 ml.) and extracted with ether (3.times.200 ml.). The combined ether extracts were washed with saturated NaHCO.sub.3 solution (3.times.200ml.), water (3.times.200 ml.) and saturated NaCl solution (3.times.200 ml.), dried over MgSO.sub.4, concentrated in vacuo to give a mixture containing 5,6-cis and 5,6-trans 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 (about 4:1 by .sup.1 H NMR), 0.4g, (92%). The mixture of 5,6-cis and 5,6-trans 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 (0.4 g., 0.97 mmol.) was dissolved in ethyl acetate (25 ml.) and treated with freshly recrystallized maleic anhydride (0.08 g., 0.8 mmol.). This reaction mixture was heated to 35.degree. C. under argon for 24 hours. After evaporation of the solvent in vacuo, the crude mixture was chromatographed over a silica gel column using ethyl acetate and hexane (1:1) as eluent, to afford the novel active form of Vitamin D.sub.4, 5,6-cis 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 (XIII) 90 mg. (23%). m.p.: 128.degree.-130.degree. C. IR .nu..sub.max (Neat) 3400 cm.sup.-1 (OH stretching). .sup.1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3), .delta.ppm 0.55 (3H, s, 18-H) 0.79 (6H, dd, 26-H.sub.3 and 27-H.sub.3) 0.87 (3H, d, 21-H.sub.3) 0.94 (3H, d, 28-H.sub.3), 4.24 (1H, m, 3-H), 4.44 (1H, m, 1-H), 5.02 (1H, m (sharp), 19-H), 5.34 (1H, m (sharp), 19-H), 6.02 (1H, d 7-H), 6.4 (1H, d, 6-H). Mass spectrum [CI] m/e (relative intensity) 415 (M+1, 41%) 397, (M+1-OH 100%), 379 (27%), 135 (22%).

Biological testing of 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4

Male weaning rats were fed a Vitamin D deficient diet containing normal Ca (0.47%) and P (0.3%). After four weeks on this diet the rats had serum calcium values less than 7 mg/dl. The rats were then separated into four groups and orally administered either 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 or the vehicle for each of 14 days. Twenty-four hours after the last dose, the rats were killed and the blood calcium measured by a standard laboratory technique.

The results of these determinations are shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1______________________________________Increase in serum calcium concentration Serum calcium Number concentration Dose of (mg/100 ml)Compound (mcg/kg/day) rats .+-. Standard Deviation______________________________________Vehicle - 10 6.1 .+-. 0.481.alpha.-OH-D.sub.4 0.042 8 7.1 .+-. 0.801.alpha.-OH-D.sub.4 0.250 7 11.6 .+-. 0.451.alpha.-OH-D.sub.4 1.500 9 12.7 .+-. 0.37______________________________________

The data of table 1 indicate that 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 is effective at increasing serum calcium in the Vitamin D deficient rat and that the response appears to be dose dependent. Surprisingly, the level of the response appears to compare favorably to that reported by Wientroub, et. al., for 1,25 dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.3 administered to Vitamin D deficient rats under experimental conditions similar to those described above. See, Wientroub, S., Price, P. A., Reddi, A. H., "The Dichotomy in the Effects of 1,25 dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.3 and 24,25 dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.3 on Bone GammaCarboxyglutamic Acid-Containing Protein in Serum and Bone in Vitamin D-Deficient Rats," Calcif. Tissue Int. (1987) 40:166-172.

The acute oral toxicity of 1.alpha.-OH-D.sub.4 in rats was assessed by determining the mean lethal dose (LD.sub.50). Rats were fed a standard laboratory diet for 8-10 weeks. Five animals of each sex were administered one oral dose of 1.alpha.-OH-D.sub.4. The animals were observed for 14 days, and the number of deaths noted. The LD.sub.50 value was determined to be about 1.0 mg/kg in males and 3.0 mg/kg in females.

For comparison, the LD.sub.50 value for 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.2 under the same conditions was found by applicant's to be 1.7 and 1.8 mg./kg. in male and female rats, respectively. The toxicity of 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.2 has previously been reported as less than 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.3. Sjoden, G., Smith, C., Lindgren, U., and DeLuca, H. F., Proc. Soc. Experimental Biol. Med., 178:432-436 (1985).

Example 2: Generation and Isolation of 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4

The experimental drug 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 is incubated with cultured human liver cells which metabolize the compound to several products including the metabolite 1,25 dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4. The 1,25 metabolite is isolated and purified by high pressure liquid chromatography and identified by gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry. Binding studies demonstrate that the 1,25 dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 has good binding affinity for the mammalian Vitamin D receptor protein indicating it is biologically active. The procedures used are similar to that described by Strugnell, et. al., Biochem. Pharm. Vol. 40:333-341 (1990).

Example 3: Generation and isolation of 1,24 dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4.

Generation and isolation of 1,24 dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 is accomplished as described in Example 2, above. The experimental drug 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4 is incubated with cultured human liver cells which metabolize the compound to several products including the metabolite 1,24 dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4. The 1,24 metabolite is isolated and purified using high pressure liquid chromatography and identified by gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry. Binding studies with the new metabolite demonstrate that the metabolite has good binding affinity for the mammalian Vitamin D receptor protein which indicates the drug is biologically active.

Claims

1. 1.alpha.-hydroxy Vitamin D.sub.4.