Incidence Of Micronuclei In Buccal Mucosa Of Tobacco Smokers And Alcoholics

Tobacco is a harmful genotoxic and mutagenic natural compound. It is genotoxic due to the chemical components contained in it like Nicotine ,phenols, benzene, carbon monoxide etc.,. Tobacco smokers are at risk of oral cancers due to the genotoxic nature of nicotine present in tobacco, which has the capacity to damage the DNA and alter its structure, finally resulting in the mutagenic and genotoxic effects. Tobacco smoke is harmful to smokers and to those exposed to Tobacco smoke in the surrounding. Genomic damage is probably the most important fundamental cause of developmental and degenerative diseases. It is also well established that genomic damage is produced by environmental exposure to genotoxins, medical procedures (e.g.: Chemicals and Radiations) Life style factors (e.g.: alcohol, smoking, drugs, stress, etc.) (Chenet.al 2006 Gabriel et.al 2006, V. Martinez et.al 2005. Majer et.al 2001, Kassie et.al 2001). The MN assay in exfoliated buccal cells is potentially an excellent method to serve as a biomarker to biomonitor the genetic damage in human population. Tobacco is widely used in cigarettes, cigar, bidis, gutkahs etc,. The chewing of tobacco has a physically powerful association with the risk of oral leukoplakia, oral submucuous fibrosis, oral squamous cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Oral squamous cell carcinoma arise through the accumulation of genetic alterations including chromosomal alterations. These events are further influenced by exposure to environmental agents including tobacco consumption ,smoking, alcoholic bevareges and viruses (Mork et al 2001).Chewing tobacco contains considerable nicotine, much more than contained in cigarette tobacco (Benowitz et al 2000). Abstract: Tobacco is a harmful genotoxic natural compound. Tobacco smoke is harmful to smokers and to those exposed to Tobacco smoke .The chemicals found in bidi smoke are known for their toxicity. Nicotine,the principal pharmacologic agent common to all forms of Tobacco .is a powerfully addicting drug.(PHS.DHHS publication no(CDC) 88-8406,1988).Thus nicotine in bidi smoke puts smokers at risk for addiction..Nicotine also has adverse effect on cardiovascular health. Tobacco is widely used in cigarette, cigar, chewing tobacco, gutkahs, etc.,. Exposure showed a high risk of human health and development of several types of oral cancers. A total of 50male daily wage workers in R.K. Puram area, Hyderabad, Telangana were investigated for genetic damage in buccal cells of exposed and control subjects. A questionnaire based survey was conducted and buccal smears were collected from oral cavity and analysed for nuclear damage. A high frequency of karyolysis and micronucleated cells were observed among males. The higher percentage of nuclear damage was observed in workers who were smokers. The habit of smoking along with consumption of alcohol enhanced the frequency of micronuclei in buccal cells when compared with controls. The present study clearly reveals the mutagenic and genotoxic nature of tobacco and its products along with alcohol.