Methods of controlling the concentration of calcium in the serum of warm-blooded animals and pharmaceutical compositions to be used therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of controlling the concentration of calcium in the serum of warm-blooded animals characterized by the administration of a pharmaceutically effective amount of 25-hydroxyvitamin D.sub.3 -26,23-lactones expressed by the following formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R indicates a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group and X indicates --O-- or --O--O--, to warm-blooded animals, and a pharmaceutical composition to be used for controlling the concentration of calcium in the serum of warm-blooded animals which comprises 25-hydroxyvitamin D.sub.3 -26,23-lactones expressed by the above-mentioned formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 25-hydroxyvitamin D.sub.3 -26,23-lactones are desirably used especially for the treatment or prevention of the diseases resulting from the high calcium levels in the serum.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.