Reduction of serum lipid levels, and agents and compositions useful therefor

Abstract

A method for lowering elevated serum lipid concentrations comprising administering a composition containing, as the active ingredient, a 3.beta. -substituted-16.alpha.-cyanopreg-5-en-20-one wherein the substituent at the 3.beta.-position is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, alkoxy having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, cycloalkoxy having 3 to 6 carbon atoms, acyloxy wherein the acyl moiety has 2 to 7 carbon atoms, tetrahydrofuran-2'-yloxy, tetrahydropyran-2'-yloxy, and 4'-alkoxytetrahydropyran-4'-yloxy where the alkoxy moiety has 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Representative active ingredients are 3.beta.-acetoxy-16.alpha.-cyanopreg-5-en-20-one and 3.beta.-cyclopentyloxy-16.alpha.-cyanopregn-5-en-20-one. These representative agents are also useful in the therapeutic method of protecting and regenerating damaged hepatic tissue.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.