ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: In the last two decades, the use of mobile phones has increased enormously all over the world. The controversy regarding whether radiofrequency (RF) fields exert effects upon biological systems is a concern for the general population. An evaluation is made of DNA damage and cytokinetic defects, proliferative potential, and cell death because of RF radiation emitted by mobile phones in healthy young users. STUDY DESIGN: This cohort study was carried out in 50 Caucasian mobile phone users. We collected two cell samples from each subject (a total of 100 cell samples), corresponding to the right and left cheek mucosa, respectively. Case histories and personal information were assessed, including age, gender, body height and weight, history of cancer, smoking and alcohol consumption, exposure to chemical carcinogens or radiation, and dietary habits. Sampling comprised cell collection from both cheeks with a cytobrush, centrifugation, slide preparation, fixation, and staining, followed by fluorescent microscopic analysis. A total of 2000 exfoliated cells were screened for nuclear abnormalities, especially micronucleus. RESULTS: No statistically significant changes were recorded in relation to age, gender, body mass index, or smoking status. A comparison of the results vs the control area according to the side of the face on which the mobile phone was placed, and in relation to the duration of exposure (years) to mobile phone radiation in the total 100 samples, yielded no significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: No genotoxic effects because of RF exposure were observed in relation to any of the study parameters.
Subject(s)
Cell Phone , Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective/classification , Mouth Mucosa/radiation effects , Radio Waves , Adult , Alcohol Drinking , Body Height , Body Mass Index , Body Weight , Carcinogens , Cell Death/radiation effects , Cell Proliferation/radiation effects , Cohort Studies , Cytodiagnosis/instrumentation , DNA Damage , Electromagnetic Fields/adverse effects , Environmental Exposure , Feeding Behavior , Female , Humans , Male , Micronucleus Tests , Microscopy, Fluorescence , Mouth Mucosa/ultrastructure , Radio Waves/adverse effects , Smoking , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The most important complication of oral lichen planus is malignancy transformation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess cellular and nuclear morphology in a group of patients with oral lichen planus measured by means of buccal micronucleus cytome assay. STUDY DESIGN: This study included thirty patients with a clinicopathological diagnosis of oral lichen planus (all with atrophic-erosive clinical forms of OLP) and thirty healthy control subjects. Both samples were similar in age and gender. The buccal micronucleus cytome assay protocol consisted of: cell collection from both cheeks with a cytobrush; cell centrifuge; slide preparation, fixation and staining followed by fluorescent microscope analysis. 2 × 10(6) exfoliated cells were screened for nuclear abnormalities: micronuclei, nuclear buds, binucleation, basal and differentiated cells, condensed chromatin, karyorrhectic cells, pyknosis and karyolytic cells. RESULTS: Patients with oral lichen planus showed significantly higher frequencies of micronuclei (p<0.001), nuclear buds (p<0.001), binucleated cells (p<0.021) than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This method is an easy way for clinicians to assess DNA damage, proliferative potential of basal cells and cell death in buccal cells in cases of oral lichen planus.
