Heterochromatin Polymorphisms and Chromosomes Damage in Heavy Smoking Men

Objective: The goal of the study is to appraise the heterochromatin polymorphism and chromosomal abnormalities associated with chromosome in smoking men. Methods: During a 9-months period (January 2014 to September 2014) a total of 60 heavy smoking men (more than 20 cigarettes daily) together with 60 normal controls were subjected to the present investigation. A study of the variants heterochromatin of chromosomes1, 9 and 16 was performed on lymphocyte culture followed by C-banding from a total of 60 heavy smokers and 60 nonsmoker persons. Constitutive evaluation was based on qualitative method, blood culture, chromosomes harvesting and C-band technique were carry out according to the standard methods. Results: Study indicates smoking men had significantly increased frequency of larger C- band variants on chromosome 1 and 9 as compared with nonsmoking men (p˂0.05).  The frequency of inversions revealed significant differences for variants heterochromatin of chromosome 1, 9 and to less extent 16 between smokers and nonsmokers control group and significant association (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results confirm the positive correlation between the amount of heterochromatin on chromosomes 1 and 9 and susceptibility of the smoking men to early development of cancer. Keywords: Polymorphisms, Chromosomes, Heterochromatin, Smoking