EVALUATION OF CYTOGENIC DAMAGE IN ORAL EXFOLIATED BUCCAL CELLS OF TOBACCO USERS AND PATIENTS WITH POTENTIALLY MALIGNANT DISORDERS USING MICRONUCLEUS ASSAY - A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Background: Cytogenic methods acts with complex type mutations, known as structural mutations (aberrations)and a special type of chromosomal damage, known as micronucleus. So, micronucleus (MN) assay has been used as a biomarker of genetic damage in buccal mucosa cells. Aim and Objectives: To evaluate micronucleus in the exfoliated cells of buccal mucosa of individuals with potentially malignant disorders and different tobacco related habits and in control group. To observe the incidence of micronucleus count based on duration, frequency and type of tobacco usage and also auto immune condition of Lichen planus. Materials and Method: The study population is divided into 3 groups. Group I : 15 healthy subjects (control), Group II : 15 smokers or chewers with habits andno evidence of lesion Group III : 30 Patients clinically diagnosed as having PMD of the oral cavity. Smears stained with DNA specific Feulgen stain. Association of micronucleus between all groups and its mean and standard deviation was assessed with ANOVA with p<0.05 was considered as significant level. Results: The mean MN revealed that individuals with potentially malignant disorders had 26.8±5.1, individuals with tobacco habit (smokers/chewers) had 11.0±5.5 and controls had 0.2±0.5. The ANOVA test for association and mean frequency of micronucleus between all groups revealed significant value of <0.001. Conclusion: Hence, MN assay in oral exfoliated buccal cells can be conveniently used as a biomarker for screening of potentially malignant disorders of oral cavity. And also provides an insight into the importance of early detection and prevention of OPMDs.