Fibrosis and strictures are common and irreversible complications of Crohn’s disease that potentially necessitate bowel resection. Tranilast, N-(3’,4’-dimethoxycinnamoyl) anthranilic acid, inhibits keloid scar formation through the inhibition of production of metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 from neutrophils.¹ Please check the phrase “inhibition of … neutrophils” is OK Tranilast has been shown to inhibit fibrosis in various experimental models.^2–,⁴ Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have shown substantial inhibition by tranilast of restenosis of coronary arteries.^5–,⁷ A case report has demonstrated the efficacy of long-term administration of tranilast in inflammatory endobronchial stenosis.⁸

Between June 2001 and July 2005, 24 patients with quiescent Crohn’s disease with non-symptomatic intestinal strictures were recruited. Baseline intestinal stricture was evaluated by small bowel barium enteroclysis, …