Tranilast inhibits cell proliferation and collagen synthesis by rabbit corneal and Tenon's capsule fibroblasts

Purpose. To determine whether tranilast, N-(3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl) anthran ilic acid, influences cell proliferation and collagen synthesis by rabbit T enon's capsule fibroblasts (TFs) and corneal stromal fibroblasts (CFs). Methods. Rabbit TFs and CFs (7000 cells/well) were cultured in F-12 nutrien t mixture supplemented with 1% FBS, plus 0, 3, 30, or 300 mu M tranilast, a nd the number of cells was counted 72 hrs later. To determine the effect of tranilast on collagen synthesis, cells at confluence were cultured in a me dium containing 0, 3, 30, or 300 mu M tranilast and labeled with H-3-prolin e, and the amount of radioactivity incorporated into collagenase-sensitive proteins was measured. Results. At 300 mu M, tranilast decreased the number of TFs by about 27% an d the number of CFs by about 45%, but had no effect on cell viability. The same concentration of tranilast reduced TFs collagen synthesis and CFs coll agen synthesis. Conclusions. Tranilast may inhibit scar formation after trabeculectomy for glaucoma and after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy.