[A study on age-related changes of histological structure and DNA repair capacity in oral mucosa].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the age-related changes of histological structure and DNA repair capacity (P53 protein expression) in oral mucous membrane and try to explain why the elders are prone to oral squamous cell carcinoma.


METHODS
The routine HE staining and an immunohistochemical technical (SP method) were used respectively to study the changes of histological structure and P53 expression in normal oral mucosa of different age groups. The SP staining results were evaluated by semiquantity method.


RESULTS
1. With aging, a series of histological changes were observed in the oral mucosa; 2. With aging, an elevating tendency of P53 protein level emerged in the oral mucosa (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The sensitivity to carcinogenic agents in elder people may be accentuated by the age-related histological changes and DNA repair capacity changes of the normal oral mucosa.
Zhou
Hongmei
H
Department of Oral Medicine, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Yang
Ya
Y
Zhou
Min
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D004260:DNA Repair; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*
D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53