3-EPI vitamin D2 compounds and uses thereof

摘要

Novel 3-epi vitamin D2 compounds having the orientation of the substituent attached to the carbon at position 3 of the A-ring of vitamin D2 inverted from a beta ( beta ) to an alpha ( alpha ) configuration are described. These compounds were first identified as metabolites of vitamin D2 produced via a tissue-specific metabolic pathway which catalyzes the 3- beta -hydroxy epimerization of vitamin D2 compounds. The 3-epi vitamin D2 compounds of the present invention can be used as substitutes for natural and synthetic vitamin D.