Compounds of the formula (I): are suitable for the preparation of pharmaceuticals for prophylaxis and treatment of all those diseases where an increased concentration of interleukin-1&bgr; participates in their course, for example septic shock, leukemia, hepatitis, muscular degeneration, HIV infections or degenerative joint diseases (such as osteoarthrosis, spondylosis, chondrolysis following joint trauma or prolonged immobilization of joints following meniscus or patella injuries, or torn ligaments), diseases of the connective tissue (such as collagenosis, periodontal diseases, or wound-healing disturbances), and chronic diseases of the locomotor system (such as inflammatory or immunologically or metabolism-related acute and chronic arthritis, arthropathies, rheumatoid arthritis, myalgias and disturbances in bone metabolism).