Cytogenetical analysis in blood lymphocytes of cigarette smokers in Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Background: Tobacco smoke causes serious health ill effects to human population.
Cancer and cardiovascular diseases are more common in smoking subjects.
Aim: The present study is focused about the genetical changes in smoking subjects based on their age and pack years.
Subjects and methods: Based on a survey report, 160 subjects are selected from Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu, India. Venous blood and buccal smear samples are collected from each subject.
Results: Increased CA is observed in heavy smokers compared to light and non smokers which is 8.90 ± 2.58, 4.58 ± 2.36 and 4.31 ±1.17, respectively. Both medium and light smokers showed significantly increased CA frequencies than control. Comet assay showed increased percentage of abnormalities in smokers (light, medium and heavy) than non-smokers.
Conclusion: The frequencies of MN in buccal epithelial and blood lymphocytes are high in
smokers; particularly heavy smoker group showed significantly increased results. Among them, the lymphocytic cells showed high MN frequency.