Genotoxic damage assessment using the micronucleus assay in buccal mucosa of different types of smokers - A cross-sectional study

Q: What genotoxicity method was used to assess smokers in this study?

Genotoxic damage was assessed using the micronucleus assay on exfoliated buccal mucosa cells, with Giemsa and Papanicolaou staining to identify micronuclei.

Q: How were participants grouped in the cross-sectional study?

The study included 100 participants split into five groups: 20 conventional tobacco smokers, 20 reverse smokers, 20 electronic cigarette users, 20 cannabis users, and 20 non-smokers.

Q: Which smoking categories showed significant micronucleus differences compared with non-smokers?

Conventional, reverse, and electronic cigarette smokers showed statistically significant differences in median micronucleus count versus non-smokers (P<0.001). Cannabis smokers did not (P=0.89).

Q: What relationship was found between oral lesions and micronucleus count?

A significant correlation was identified between the presence of oral lesions and micronucleus count (P=0.03), and regression analysis indicated alcohol was not a confounding factor.

Sep 30, 2026

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Smoking is a leading cause of carcinogenesis in the head and neck region, and detecting genotoxic damage can guide prevention. This cross-sectional study evaluated genotoxicity using the micronucleus assay in exfoliated buccal mucosa cells from conventional tobacco smokers, reverse smokers, electronic cigarette users, cannabis users, and non-smokers. Among 100 participants, micronuclei were found in 86% of samples, with significant differences for conventional, reverse, and electronic cigarette groups versus non-smokers (P<0.001), but not for cannabis (P=0.89). Oral lesions correlated with micronucleus frequency (P=0.03), and alcohol was not a confounder.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Core Tip

| W | J | E | M | World Journal of
Experimental Medicine | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | Submit a Manuscript: [https://www.f6publishing.com](https://www.f6publishing.com) World J Exp Med 2025 September 20; 15(3): 108025 DOI: 10.5493/wjem.v15.i3.108025 ISSN 2220-315x (online) ORIGINAL ARTICLE Observational Study Genotoxic damage assessment using the micronucleus assay in buccal mucosa of different types of smokers: A cross-sectional study Efraín Álvarez-Martínez, Iván E Porto-Puerta, Carlos M Ardila Specialty type: Medicine, research and experimental Provenance and peer review: Invited article; Externally peer reviewed. Peer-review model: Single blind Peer-review report’s classification Scientific Quality: Grade A, Grade A Novelty: Grade B, Grade B Creativity or Innovation: Grade A, Grade B Scientific Significance: Grade A, Grade B P-Reviewer: Wu F Received: April 3, 2025 Revised: May 16, 2025 Accepted: July 16, 2025 Published online: September 20, 2025 Processing time: 131 Days and 16.6 Hours Efraín Álvarez-Martínez, Iván E Porto-Puerta, Maxillofacial Surgery, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Antioquia, Colombia Carlos M Ardila, Department of Basic Sciences, Biomedical Stomatology Research Group, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Antioquia, Colombia Corresponding author: Carlos M Ardila, Postdoctoral Fellow, Professor, Senior Researcher, Department of Basic Sciences, Biomedical Stomatology Research Group, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Antioquia, Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellin 050010, Antioquia, Colombia. [martin.ardila@udea.edu.co](martin.ardila@udea.edu.co) Abstract BACKGROUND Smoking is a leading cause of carcinogenesis in the head and neck region, representing a critical public health issue. Identifying genotoxic damage in smokers can provide valuable insights for developing preventive interventions. AIM To assess genotoxic damage through the micronucleus assay in exfoliated buccal mucosa cells from users of conventional tobacco, reverse smoking, cannabis, electronic cigarettes, and non-smokers. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 participants divided into five groups: 20 conventional tobacco smokers, 20 reverse smokers, 20 electronic cigarette users, 20 cannabis users, and 20 non-smokers. Exfoliated buccal mucosa cells were analyzed using Giemsa and Papanicolaou staining to identify micronuclei (MN) as markers of genotoxic damage. RESULTS MN were present in 86% of the samples. Statistically significant differences were observed in the median micronucleus count between conventional, reverse, and electronic cigarette smokers compared to non-smokers (P < 0.001), while no significant difference was found for cannabis smokers (P = 0.89) . A significant correlation was identified between the presence of oral lesions and micronucleus count (P = 0.03). Regression analysis ruled out alcohol as a confounding factor. WJEM [https://www.wjgnet.com](https://www.wjgnet.com) 1 September 20, 2025 Volume 15 Issue 3 Álvarez-Martínez E et al. Genotoxic damage in smokers' buccal mucosa CONCLUSION This study identified genotoxic damage associated with various smoking habits, except for cannabis use, highlighting the need for public health interventions to reduce smoking and mitigate its genotoxic effects. These findings provide a foundation for future research and the implementation of preventive policies. Key Words: Oral neoplasms; Smoking; Genotoxicity; Micronucleus; Oral cancer ©The Author(s) 2025. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved. Core Tip: This study reveals significant genotoxic damage in buccal mucosa cells among conventional, reverse, and electronic cigarette smokers, but not cannabis users, using the micronucleus assay. A strong correlation was found between smoking-related oral lesions and micronucleus frequency, independent of alcohol use. These find

FAQs

What genotoxicity method was used to assess smokers in this study?

Genotoxic damage was assessed using the micronucleus assay on exfoliated buccal mucosa cells, with Giemsa and Papanicolaou staining to identify micronuclei.

How were participants grouped in the cross-sectional study?

The study included 100 participants split into five groups: 20 conventional tobacco smokers, 20 reverse smokers, 20 electronic cigarette users, 20 cannabis users, and 20 non-smokers.

Which smoking categories showed significant micronucleus differences compared with non-smokers?

Conventional, reverse, and electronic cigarette smokers showed statistically significant differences in median micronucleus count versus non-smokers (P<0.001). Cannabis smokers did not (P=0.89).

What relationship was found between oral lesions and micronucleus count?

A significant correlation was identified between the presence of oral lesions and micronucleus count (P=0.03), and regression analysis indicated alcohol was not a confounding factor.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by SANS