Metabolic alterations such as insulin resistance are thought to underlie the endothelial dysfunction and low grade inflammation found in morbid obesity. Twenty-six morbidly obese patients, aged 39.0 +/- 10.0 (mean +/- sd), were evaluated before and 4.2 +/- 0.8 months after bariatric surgery. A marked increment in the insulin sensitivity index (S(I)) and the endothelium-dependent vasodilatory response in a dorsal hand vein was observed after weight loss following bariatric surgery. Circulating levels of E-selectin, P-selectin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and von Willebrand factor, which were higher than those in the control group, decreased significantly after surgery. Plasma vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, angiotensin-converting enzyme, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, thrombomodulin, and plasma and intraplatelet cGMP levels did not change after weight loss. All inflammatory markers were higher in morbidly obese patients. After surgery, C- reactive protein and sialic acid diminished, whereas circulating levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha, and its soluble receptors did not. Positive correlations were found between changes in adiposity and S(I) and changes in C-reactive protein and between changes in sialic acid and changes in endothelial function. In conclusion, a marked improvement in S(I), endothelial function, and low grade inflammation was observed in the weight-losing, morbidly obese patients after bariatric surgery. S(I) and adiposity appear to play roles in obesity-related, low grade inflammation that contribute to the endothelial dysfunction observed in morbid obesity.

We have conducted a prospective double blind randomized and placebo controlled clinical study in 20 patients with shoulder pain syndrome caused by supraspinatus tendinitis to determine whether transdermal nitroglycerin (NTG) has analgesic action in this condition. In a randomized manner we used a 5-mg NTG (Nitroplast) patch per day over 3 days or similar placebo patches applied in the most painful area. Patients were evaluated before treatment was initiated and after 24 and 48 h. The assessment was made blindly by the same clinical investigator. The follow-up showed a significant decrease in intensity of pain at 24 h (7.05 +/- 0.4 to 4.5 +/- 0.5) and 48 h (2 +/- 0.3) in the NTG group (P < 0.003). No changes were observed in the placebo group. The mean pain duration, activity of the extremity and hours of sleep also improved in the NTG group, with no significant modification in the placebo group. Two patients experienced headache as a side effect 24 h after treatment was started. Patients in the NTG group remained free of symptoms when they were assessed 15 days later. We conclude that NTG is useful in the treatment of shoulder pain syndrome caused by supraspinatus tendinitis and that this treatment could be a useful approach to the management of this common disturbance and probably also in other tendon musculoskeletal disorders.

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