Aim: The smokeless tobacco (ST) has a strong association with the
risk of oral leukoplakia (OL), oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and oral
cancer (OC). ST components exhibit genotoxicity and may alter the
structure of DNA, proteins and lipids, resulting in the production of
antigenicity. In this study, an attempt was made to estimate the
cytogenetic damage [chromosomal aberrations (CA) and micronucleus (MN)]
in people habituated to consume khaini (ST), which is one of the major
forms of tobacco consumption in Tamilnadu, India, and believed to be a
major risk factor for OC. Methods: After signing a consent form,
volunteers provided blood samples (108 samples from including
experimental and control subjects) to establish cell cultures at 52 h.
For CA analysis, 100 complete metaphase cells per subject were
evaluated. Chromatid- and chromosomal- type aberrations were identified
in experimental and control subjects, where the latter showed a very
minimal number of CA in age wise manner. Results: Statistically
significant results were obtained in experimental subjects when
compared to controls as confirmed by chi-square test. Exfoliated cells
from the buccal mucosa of Khaini users were examined by using the
micronucleus assay. The difference in mean micronucleated cell count
for buccal mucosa between cases and controls were significant
(p<0.01). Hence, specific biomarkers on cytogenetic endpoints might
help in establishing preventive measures to reduce cancer risks.
Conclusion: the genotoxic effect of smokeless tobacco should be
considered in addition to other known hazards for assessing health
risks