ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of Tranilast gamma on the cellular proliferation and expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin on the cultured keratocytes of the rabbit that influence the formation of corneal scar and haze in vitro. METHODS: After the keratocytes of the rabbit were cultured, they were exposed to Tranilast gamma (N-(3, 4-dimethoxycinnamoyl) anthranilic acid) 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.0, 1.6 mg/ml with DMEM used as a control. MTT was used to measure the metabolic activity, and the Western blot assay was performed to confirm the alpha-smooth muscle actin expression, which was expressed with time by Tranilast gamma treatment. RESULTS: Higher the concentration and longer the exposure time of Tranilast gamma, the more the inhibition of the cellular proliferation. LD50 concentration was about 0.4 mg/ml in the exposure time of 24 hours and 0.2 mg/ml in the exposure time of over 48 hours(P<0.05). There was a decrease in response of alpha-smooth muscle actin expression with increasing concentrations of Tranilast gamma relative to the control. CONCLUSIONS: Tranilast gamma trends to have an inhibitory effect on the cellular proliferation and induction of alpha-smooth muscle actin expression. Tranilast gamma may inhibit excessive haze of the cornea and inhibit scar formation after the corneal wound healing and photorefractive surgery in the cornea.