Oral exfoliative cytology – A technical appraisal in oral diseases

Oral exfoliative cytology is one of the easy, simple, economical and non-cumbersome diagnostic adjunct. It involves examining the exfoliated buccal cells for alterations in cellular and nuclear features. It offers the advantage of being useful in less resource setting areas. Though associated with many false results, the newer technological advancements have proven its diagnostic efficiency. Oral exfoliative cytology can readily be used as adjunct to disease diagnosis, however, it cannot replace biopsy.

Staining criteria, collection and number of cells evaluated to identify micronuclei in buccal mucosa cells of agricultural workers exposed to pesticides.

Although there are several publications that refer to the basic criteria established for the micronucleus (MN) test in exfoliated buccal cells, there is still a difference in the quantity, method of obtention and staining of the cells for the evaluation of the presence of micronuclei. Objective. Identify the criteria for evaluation of MN in oral mucosa cells exposed to pesticide in investigations carried out. Material and methods. A systematic review was carried out on the internet, based on articles published in Crossref, JCR, Scopus, PubMed, Google academic, using keywords such as: micronuclei, buccal mucosa cells, genotoxic damage, pesticides and biomarker. Results. In the six selected articles, four presented statistically significant values ​​with the presence of MN when comparing the exposed groups with respect to the control groups, and the criteria for staining, collection and number of cells evaluated to identify micronuclei were very varied. Conclusions. It is important to follow validated and standardized protocols for the MN oral cytoma assay. Being considered in all the parameters suggested in the protocol will increase the reliability of the studies and will give the possibility of comparing the results obtained.

The content of heavy metals in the body and karyological indicators of genotoxicity

Работа посвящена изучению возможных связей между содержанием тяжелых металлов в организме и кариологическими показателями клеток буккального эпителия. Обследовали детей, проживающих в районе расположения вольфрамо-молибденового комбината. Несмотря на повышенное содержание тяжелых металлов в объектах окружающей среды, их накопления в организме детей не выявлено. Обнаружены достоверные корреляции между содержанием марганца, цинка и меди в волосах с показателями клеточной пролиферации. We studied possible relations between heavy metal content and cytogenetic characteristics of exfoliated buccal cells. To this end, we examined children living in the area where the tungsten-molybdenum plant is located. Despite the increased content of heavy metals in environmental objects, their accumulation in the hair of children was not detected. Significant correlations were found between the content of manganese, zinc and copper in the hair with the indicators of cell proliferation.

Micronucleus Frequency in Exfoliated Buccal Cells of Children Living in an Industrialized Area of Apulia (Italy)

Micronuclei (MN) are biomarkers of early biological effect often used for detecting DNA damage in human population exposed to genotoxic agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of MN in exfoliated buccal cells of children living in an industrialized (impacted) area compared with that found in children living in a control area without significant anthropogenic impacts. A total of 462 6–8-year-old children (206 in the impacted area, 256 in the control area) attending primary school were enrolled. A questionnaire was administered to the parents of the recruited children to obtain information about personal data, lifestyles, and food habits of their children. Atmospheric particulate fractions were collected near the involved schools to assess the level of environmental exposure of the children. The presence of MN was highlighted in 68.4% of children living in the impacted area with a mean MN frequency of 0.66‰ ± 0.61‰. MN positivity and frequency were significantly lower in the control area (37.1% and 0.27‰ ± 0.43‰, respectively). The frequency of MN was positively associated with quasi-ultrafine particulate matter (PM0.5), traffic near the home, and consuming barbecued food; while adherence to the Mediterranean diet and practicing sport were negatively associated.