Study of oral smear and genetic polymorphism among betel quid chewers and the effect of black tea on oral mucosal cells

Abstract

Introduction: Oral cancer is most common cancer in males and third most common in females; one of the main causative agents is use of chewing betel quid (BQ). Areca nut (Areca catechu), a major component of BQ, contains certain alkaloids that give rise to nitrosamines. Mitotic index (MI), Micronuclei (MN) and CYP2A6 genetic polymorphism were studied among the eastern and north-eastern population. Methods: In this present study, subjects were screened from Department of E.N.T. and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of RKMSP Hospital, Kolkata, and different areas of Eastern and North-Eastem States of India. Peripheral blood leukocyte cultures were analysed for mitotic index (MI). Polymorphism of CYP2A6 gene was studied from EDTA blood. Exfoliated cells from the buccal mucosa were examined for micronuclei (MN). Results: Some of the cases had more than one addiction. It has been found that micronuclei percentage was higher and mitotic index higher in oral cancer cases than normal. Most of the subjects had betel quid chewing habit. Early metabolizers are susceptible to oral cancer whereas in case of poor metabolizers chances are less. Conclusion: Betel quid has an immense role in changing the oral pathology and developing oral cancer.