Abstract
Keloids and hypertrophic scars, especially keloids, are clinically intractable scars caused by an abnormal proliferation of fibroblasts and excessive production of collagen. The present clinical therapy for such scars is described briefly, and the feasibility of iontophoretic therapy with tranilast was examined in hairless rats and patients with scars. A drug electrode containing 12 mg tranilast, which was dissolved in 1.5 ml of ethanol/water (8 : 2 v/v) mixture, was placed on the dorsal skin surface of anesthetized rats or the affected parts of patients, and connected to the negative pole. An electric current was pulsed through at one min intervals. The in vivo current density was almost comparable between intact skin surfaces of healthy volunteers and keloids/hypertrophic scars of patients. Tranilast given iontophoretically (2 mA) a period of 30 min a week reduced the patients' complaints of pain and itching after only one or two treatments. Thus, the transdermal iontophoretic delivery of tranilast may be a useful treatment for keloid and hypertrophic scars, particularly for relieving pain and itching, and is more beneficial than tranilast given orally. Some discussions were also made in the present report.
