Assessment of Cytotoxic and Genotoxic potentials in Tobacco Chewers

Volume : VIII, Issue : V, May - 2018

Dr. G. Kiranmai, Dr. P. Vani Priya

Smokeless tobacco is the cheapest, least taxed and most commonly used tobacco products in India. They are highly

addictive and high in carcinogens. Tobacco has addictive properties due to the presence of nicotine which causes signs of

dependence of tolerance in the consuming adult. The extent and increasingly speed of the tobacco addictions are believed to be directly

proportional to the biological strength of nicotine addiction. The oral cavity suffers from potentially harmful effects due to the habit of tobacco

and tobacco mixtures chewing. The main effects on the hard tissue of the oral cavity are on the teeth. It caused severe weå of the enamel

covering which may result in increased dentinal sensitivity. Present study was carried out using 150 individuals (118 men, 32 women; age range

25–56 years) who are having a habit of chewing tobacco from 5–25 years were tested along with 150 controls with same age group. Samples were

cultured and prepared for chromosomes and DNA was extracted and gel electrophoresis was done to nd out the DNA damage levels. In this

study we have scored the numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities and DNA damage of the presented samples have been calculated.

Although signicant numerical aberration observed, structural abnormalities were notably seen in a few cases. When compared with controls

tobacco–chewing habitués does increase induced signicant mitodepression. The demonstration of chromosomal damage in lymphocytes from

tobacco chewers strongly indicates that tobacco should be categorized as a human carcinogen and major risk factor for oral, throat and pharynx

cancers.