New nitric oxide donor drugs developed 35 years after the description of the anti-inflammatory action of nitroglycerin

In 1987, it was demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) is the endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). This opened a long history of confirming that NO is synthesized in all tissues through constitutive synthases in the endothelium and nervous system, and inducible synthases in cells of the immune system. In parallel, it was proven that nitrovasodilators (NVDs), such as nitroglycerin (NTG), are transformed into NO and develop their vasodilatory action through the action of the NO/cGMP pathway. In 1990, we verified that transdermic NTG, in addition to relaxing smooth muscle cells, also had anti-inflammatory effects in inflammatory processes accessible via this route, such as superficial thrombophlebitis or supraspinatus tendonitis. Ten years later, other authors began to confirm this effect of transdermal NTG, but in recent years, the types of chemical molecules that have been used as vehicles for both NTG and other nitrated compounds capable of delivering NO in large doses to very precise locations while avoiding its systemic effect, have expanded. In fact, nanoliposomal NTG is indicated as a potent anti-inflammatory substance. New fields are opening up in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and inflammatory joint processes such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The use of NO/titanium nitride as a coating for stents and pacemaker or defibrillator leads is now common, reducing thrombotic complications.