Impact of smoking on oral mucosa: A cytological and cellular proliferation study

Abstract

Background

Cigarette smoking is known to induce various cellular changes and proliferative activities within the oral mucosa. This study compares the effects of smoking on cellular proliferation and cytological alterations using the AgNORs and Pap staining methods.

Methods

We performed statistical analyses to evaluate the mean AgNORs count in smokers and non- smokers. Additionally, we assessed the presence of reactive cellular changes in smokers using the Pap staining method. Cytological alterations, including inflammatory changes, were documented in both groups, and we focused on the prevalence of such changes in smokers.

Results

The mean AgNORs count was found to be 3.68 in smokers, which is consistent with marked reactive cellular changes. Inflammatory changes and reactive cellular changes, observed in 33.3 % and 59.3 % of cases, respectively, were significantly more prevalent in smokers. These findings suggest that smoking induces epithelial alterations, even in the absence of clinical symptoms, due to the physiochemical environment created by the elements in tobacco. This study also supports previous research indicating that cigarette smoking modifies cell growth control processes and increases cell proliferation in the oral mucosa.

Conclusion

Cigarette smoking significantly elevates cellular proliferation, as indicated by the increased AgNORs counts in smokers. The combined use of Pap staining and AgNORs counting proved effective at detecting cellular proliferation before clinical symptoms appeared in smokers. Additional research is recommended to assess the impact of factors such as age, sex, and daily cigarette consumption on different oral regions. Comparative studies involving other proliferation indicators, such as Ki-67 or molecular testing, are also advised.