Substituted pyridines of formula (IA) are produced by reaction of suitably substituted pyridylaldehydes with Grignard or Witting reagents, and the resulting products are appropriately reduced. The pyridines of formula (IA) are suitable as active compounds in pharmaceutical products, particularly in pharmaceutical products for the inhibition of cholesterol ester transfer proteins. 3-Heteroalkyl-aryl-substituted pyridines of formula (IB) are produced from pyridines which are correspondingly protected at the hydroxy group and correspondingly substituted. The compounds of formula (IB) according to the invention are suitable as active compounds in pharmaceutical products, particularly pharmaceutical products for the treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia. Substituted pyridines and benzenes of formula (IC) are produced by procedures disclosed herein, and are useful as active ingredients in pharmaceutical products, particularly pharmaceutical products for inhibition of the glucagon receptor, leading to treatment of glucagon-mediated conditions such as diabetes.