Abstract
The presence of micronuclei in oral epithelial cells is considered a marker of genotoxicity, which can be identified using exfoliative cytology. The aim of this study was to investigate cytotoxic damage through the evaluation of micronuclei in the oral mucosa of smokers and e-cigarette users compared to nonsmokers. We obtained smears from the buccal mucosa of 68 participants divided in 3 groups (smokers, e-cigarette users and nonsmokers), which were further processed with Papanicolaou stain. The frequencies of micronuclei and micronucleated cells were recorded and statistically analyzed at a level of significance of p < 0.05. The mean micronuclei values per 1000 cells were 3.6 ± 1.08 for smokers, 3.21 ± 1.12 for e-cigarette users and 1.95 ± 1.05 for nonsmokers. The mean values of micronucleated cells per 1000 cells were 2.48 ± 0.91 for smokers, 2.39 ± 1.07 for e-cigarette users and 1.4 ± 0.68 for nonsmokers. Smokers and e-cigarette users had significantly higher values of micronuclei and micronucleated cells compared to nonsmokers, but there were no significant differences between smokers and e-cigarette users. We concluded that the micronuclei count can be used as an early indicator for alterations of oral mucosa and exfoliative cytology represents an accessible tool which could be applied for mass screening.
Highlights
Smoking represents the most common cause for oral cancer and was identified as the second most significant risk factor responsible for global death; its by-products such as polycyclic hydrocarbons and nitrosamine have mutagenic and carcinogenic properties, as these compounds infiltrate into the oral mucosal cells and might induce cellular changes [1].Adolescence has been associated with a high risk of substance use, among which tobacco smoking is the most frequent
As there are limited data regarding the presence of MN in clinically normal oral mucosa in different types of young nicotine users compared to nonsmokers, the aim of our study was to evaluate based on exfoliative cytology, in a group of young adults, the frequency of MN in the oral epithelial cells of smokers, e-cigarette users and never smokers
We found that more cells showing MN were present in specimens from smokers and e-cigarettes users compared with nonsmokers, similar to data reported by other studies [29,43]
Summary
Smoking represents the most common cause for oral cancer and was identified as the second most significant risk factor responsible for global death; its by-products such as polycyclic hydrocarbons and nitrosamine have mutagenic and carcinogenic properties, as these compounds infiltrate into the oral mucosal cells and might induce cellular changes [1].Adolescence has been associated with a high risk of substance use, among which tobacco smoking is the most frequent. E-cigarettes were developed in 2003 in an effort to assist smoking cessation and to reduce the harm effects of tobacco and other substances present in conventional cigarettes [3]. These devices consist of an atomizer for heat generation, a battery with fixed voltage and a liquid reservoir containing a mixture of volatile compounds alongside with different amounts of nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerol, water, flavoring agents and dyes [4,5,6]. In USA, between 2010–2013 the use of e-cigarettes in adults raised from 1.8% to 13% [8]; the highest prevalence was reported among young adults
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