Comments to the paper by González-Yebra et al. (2008) “Exposure to organic solvents and cytogenetic damage in exfoliated cells of the buccal mucosa from shoe workers”

Chromosome/DNA instability could be one of the primary causes of malignant cell transformation. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the spontaneous genetic damages in exfoliated cells of buccal mucosa of head and neck cancer (HNC) by counting micronucleus (MN) and binucleated (BN) cells frequencies. MN and BN frequencies were significantly increased in HNC patients compared with controls (5.53 ± 3.09/1000 cells, 5.63 ± 2.99/1000 cells versus 2.36 ± 2.11/1000 cells, 3.09 ± 1.82/1000 cells,P<0.001). Regarding the gender and the age, the frequencies of the MN and BN were significantly higher than those of controls (P<0.01). The evaluation of the MN and BN frequencies revealed a significant increase (P<0.001) in the cases in relation to the control group after controlling the risk factors (tobacco smoking and chewing and occupational exposure) of HNC. Moreover, MN and BN frequencies were significantly increased in smokers and chewers compared with nonsmokers and nonchewers among patients (P<0.05). MN frequency was significantly (P=0.014) different between patients occupationally exposed (6.99 ± 3.40/1000 cells) and nonexposed (4.70 ± 2.48/1000 cells) among HNC group. The logistic regression model illustrated that HNC was significantly associated with frequencies of MN (OR = 8.63,P<0.0001) and BN (OR = 5.62,P=0.001). Our results suggest that increased chromosome/DNA instabilities may be associated with HNC.

Download Full-text

Cytologic alterations in the oral mucosa after chronic exposure to ethanol

Brazilian Oral Research ◽

10.1590/s1806-83242006000200002 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 97-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Sílvia Regina de Almeida Reis ◽

Alexandre Ribeiro do Espírito Santo ◽

Miguel Gustavo Setúbal Andrade ◽

Moysés Sadigursky

Keyword(s):

Oral Mucosa ◽

Buccal Mucosa ◽

Chronic Exposure ◽

Alcoholic Beverages ◽

Control Group ◽

Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase ◽

Ethanol Group ◽

Exfoliated Cells ◽

Abnormal Nucleus ◽

Glutamyl Transpeptidase

The effects of ethanol alone on the oral mucosa are still poorly understood, especially because there are few non-smoking chronic consumers of alcoholic beverages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of micronucleus, abnormal nucleus/cytoplasm ratio, pyknosis, karyorrhexis and karyolysis in exfoliated cells from the buccal mucosa and from the lateral border of the tongue in 36 non-smoker alcoholics (ethanol group) and 18 non-smokers and non-drinkers (control group). The Papanicolaou method was used. Since alcoholics generally have hepatobiliary involvement, the association between serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and some of the analyzed oral mucosa alterations was also investigated. The ethanol group showed a significant increase in the frequency of all alterations analyzed in the tongue cells when compared with the control group (p < 0.01; Mann-Whitney). However, the presence of these changes in buccal mucosa cells was not statistically significant (p > 0.05; Mann-Whitney). In the ethanol group, the correlation between serum GGT and the frequency of micronucleus and abnormal nucleus/cytoplasm ratio in oral mucosa cells was not significant (p > 0.05; Spearman). In conclusion, chronic exposure to ethanol may be associated with carcinogenic cytologic changes in the oral mucosa, even in the absence of tobacco smoking. These alterations were not correlated with hepatobiliary injury.

Download Full-text

Chromosomal Damage and Apoptosis in Exfoliated Buccal Cells from Individuals with Oral Cancer

International Journal of Dentistry ◽

10.1155/2012/457054 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Lavínia Tércia Magalhães Dórea ◽

José Roberto Cardoso Meireles ◽

Júlia Paula Ramos Lessa ◽

Márcio Campos Oliveira ◽

Carlos Alberto de Bragança Pereira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oral Cancer ◽

Buccal Mucosa ◽

Chromosome Damage ◽

Chromosomal Damage ◽

Buccal Cells ◽

Exfoliated Cells ◽

Cytological Abnormalities ◽

And Control ◽

Exfoliated Buccal Cells ◽

In Cells

This study aimed to investigate cytological abnormalities indicative of chromosome damage (micronuclei) and apoptosis (karyorrhexis, pyknosis, and condensed chromatin) in exfoliated cells from the buccal mucosa of patients with oral cancer and control subjects. The sample included twenty individuals with oral cancer and forty individuals with normal buccal mucosa. Material was collected from the cheek epithelium in areas with lesions and areas without abnormalities. A minimum of one thousand cells was analyzed. Micronuclei were found significantly more frequently in cells collected from lesions than in cells from normal areas, independent of the presence/absence of cancer (P<0.0001). They were also significantly more frequent in smokers and in mouthwash users (P<0.0001). Apoptosis occurred significantly less frequently in individuals with oral cancer (P<0.0001). These results show that oral cancer is associated with higher frequency of chromosomal damage and suggest that apoptosis is compromised in the buccal cells of individuals with this kind of neoplasia.

Download Full-text