Gender-based cytomorphometric analysis of buccal exfoliated cells in a South Indian population.

OBJECTIVE: To assess differences based on gender in nuclear area (NA), cytoplasmic area (CA), and nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio (N:C ratio) values for clinically normal buccal smears in apparently healthy subjects of a South Indian population, thereby providing definitive baseline cytomorphometric measurements for the South Indian population. METHODS: Buccal smears were collected from 60 healthy subjects (30 males and 30 females) of a South Indian population above 18 years in age. Values of the NA and CA were measured, and the N:C ratio calculated, using ImageJ software. Statistical analysis of the data with independent t tests and 95% confidence intervals was done using SPSS version 21 (significance set at P < 0.05). RESULTS: The results showed that there were significant differences in the NA, CA, and N:C values between males and females irrespective of age (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Definitive gender-specific baseline cytomorphometric data can be established using exfoliative cytology for the South Indian population, and this may be helpful in deciphering the occurrence of oral pre-malignant diseases and oral squamous cell carcinoma in this population, as the incidence of these conditions varies with gender and different ethnic groups.

Long-term impact of the Tyrnyauz tungsten-molybdenum mining and processing factory waste on environmental pollution and children's population.

We studied the consequences of the long-term impact of remediated tailing ponds from the Tyrnyauz tungsten-molybdenum mining and processing factory on the environmental pollution and children living in the area. For more than 60 years, the factory has been engaged in the development of tungsten-molybdenum deposits by open-pit and mine methods and the enrichment of the extracted ore. More than 252,771 thousand tons of waste accumulated in its dumps and tailings ponds. This 170-hectare tailing pond contains more than 125 million tons of waste with arsenic, tungsten, molybdenum and other metals. To examine the possible accumulation of potentially toxic elements in children's bodies, we determined the content of heavy metals in drinking water and in the hair of children. An exfoliated buccal micronucleus test was used to determine the cytogenetic status of children. We did not find significant differences in the content of heavy metals inherent of a tailing pond in children's hair from polluted area compared to the control zone. In buccal cells of children living in the vicinity of the tailings pond, the total number of cytogenetic abnormalities was increased by 4.1 times, the total index of proliferation by 1.5 times, early destruction of the nucleus by 2 times and apoptosis by 1.2 times compared to the clean zone. Thus, we identified a genotoxic and cytotoxic effect on children living in the vicinity of the tailing ponds, which led to an increase in the number of children belonging to the medium- and high-risk groups. No correlations were found between the content of heavy metals in children's hair and the frequency of cells with cytogenetic abnormalities. Weak positive correlation was found between the content of manganese, zinc and copper in children's hair and the indicators of buccal epithelial cell proliferation.

Cytogenetic analysis of oral mucosa cells, induced by chlorhexidine, essential oils in ethanolic solution and triclosan mouthwashes.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate DNA damage and cytokinetic defects, proliferative potential and cell death caused by the frequent use of mouthrinses containing chlorhexidine, triclosan and essential oils in ethanolic solution, compared to a placebo mouthwash. STUDY DESIGN: This double-blind, prospective, randomized clinical trial included 80 Caucasian patients. Subjects were divided into four groups: Group I used a mouthrinse, Triclosan; Group II used physiological saline; Group III used chlorhexidine; Group IV a mouthrinse with essential oils in ethanolic solution. All subjects used the mouthrinses for two weeks (15 ml, twice a day, rinsing for 30s). Two cell samples per subject were collected, before and after mouthrinse use (on day 0 and day 15). Samples were processed as follows: cell collection from cheeks with a cytobrush; cell centrifuge; slide preparation, fixation and staining; and fluorescent microscope analysis. 2000 exfoliated cells were screened for nuclear abnormalities, particularly the presence of micronuclei by means of cytome assay. RESULTS: No significant differences between study times (before and after use of mouthwash) were identified for any of the variables studied (p>0.05). Differences between mouthrinse groups were also compared but no significant differences were found (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study did not observe any genotoxic effect resulting from mouthrinse use.

Evaluation of cytogenic damage in the form of micronuclei in oral exfoliated buccal cells in tobacco users.

BACKGROUND: Variety of substances such as tobacco, UV radiation, infrared rays, X-radiations, and chemicals on oral induction results in chromosomal aberrations and production of micronucleus (MN). Among them, tobacco-specific nitrosamines are potent mutagenic agents causing oral cancer. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to compare the genotoxicity in buccal mucosal cells, i.e. the MN count of all groups and to find the incidence of micronucleated cells (MNCs) in accordance to duration and frequency of tobacco usage and timing of contact of tobacco in the oral mucosa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Individuals without any oral diseases were divided into 3 groups having 25 in each group: smoking, chewing, and control. Smears were made from buccal exfoliated cells and stained with DNA-specific Feulgen stain. Frequency on MNC per 500 cells was assessed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD multiple comparisons test and mean rank with Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: The mean micronucleus MN revealed that chewers had 8.00, smokers had 7.20 and controls had 0.4. The ANOVA test for mean frequency of micronucleated cell MNC revealed High significance (<0.001) for between groups comparison. The mean rank by Kruskal Wallis test revealed the MNC increases as the duration and frequency of habit increases. An increase in MNC in accordance to time of contact with buccal mucosa increases as the duration and time increases. CONCLUSION: Estimation of MN serve as an indicator of genetic damage and points that tobacco in chewing form induce genotoxic effect. This is studied in an easily accessible tissue- buccal mucosa in a non invasive manner.

Biomonitoring of agricultural workers exposed to pesticide mixtures in Guerrero state, Mexico, with comet assay and micronucleus test.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic effect of pesticides in exfoliated buccal cells of workers occupationally exposed in Guerrero, Mexico, using the comet assay and the micronucleus test. The study compared 111 agricultural workers in three rural communities (Arcelia 62, Ajuchitlan 13, and Tlapehuala 36), with 60 non-exposed individuals. All the participants were males. The presence of DNA damage was investigated in the exfoliated buccal cells of study participants with the comet assay and the micronucleus (MN) test; comet tail length was evaluated in 100 nuclei and 3000 epithelial cells of each individual, respectively; other nuclear anomalies such as nuclear buds, karyolysis, karyorrhexis, and binucleate cells were also evaluated. Study results revealed that the tail migration of DNA and the frequency of MN increased significantly in the exposed group, which also showed nuclear anomalies associated with cytotoxic or genotoxic effect. No positive correlation was noted between exposure time and tail length and micronuclei frequencies. No significant effect on genetic damage was observed as a result of age, smoking, and alcohol consumption. The MN and comet assay in exfoliated buccal cells are useful and minimally invasive methods for monitoring genetic damage in individuals exposed to pesticides. This study provided valuable data for establishing the possible risk to human health associated with pesticide exposure.