Nitric oxide is thought to play a major role in a number of inflammatory diseases.
Psoriasis is a common inflammatory disease of the skin. Nine individuals with chronic plaque-type psoriasis were treated with nitroglycerin ointment for 6 weeks. The plaque of one individual improved with the application of nitroglycerin. By contrast, one individual's nitroglycerin-treated plaque improved dramatically about 6 weeks after cessation of treatment. On the other hand, the plaques of five individuals worsened with nitroglycerin treatment.