Apoptosis and expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in snuff- and non-snuff associated oral squamous cell carcinomas.
BACKGROUND
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is etiologically linked to tobacco and alcohol consumption. A higher frequency of p53 gene mutations was reported in snuff (toombak)-associated OSCC from the Sudan versus those from non-users (Ibrahim et al., 1999, 10).


METHODS
OSCC from Sudanese toombak users (n = 13) and non-users from the Sudan (n = 6) and Norway (n = 24) were analysed for bax, bcl-2 and Ki-67 immunohistochemically. Apoptosis was evaluated by the TUNEL method. The OSCC from the Sudan had previously been studied for p53 gene mutations.


RESULTS
We found a higher apoptotic rate and a higher bax expression in OSCC from Norway compared with those from the Sudan (p < 0.05) irrespective of toombak use. No significant differences were detected in apoptosis, bax, bcl-2 and Ki-67 in OSCC from the Sudan in relation to toombak use or p53 gene status.


CONCLUSIONS
In OSCC, apoptosis was associated with bax expression and was unaffected by p53 gene status or toombak use in OSCC from the Sudan.
Loro
L L
LL
Department of Odontology-Oral Pathology and Forensic Odontology, Gade Institute, Haukeland Hospital, University of Bergen, Norway. lado.loro@gades.uib.no
Vintermyr
O K
OK
Ibrahim
S O
SO
Idris
A M
AM
Johannessen
A C
AC
D017209:Apoptosis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009664:Norway; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013397:Sudan; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein
C494826:BAX protein, human; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein