Mitochondrial volume densities in the smokeless tobacco-treated hamster cheek pouch epithelium.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the morphological changes and quantitative distribution of mitochondria in the hamster cheek pouch (HCP) epithelium treated with smokeless tobacco (ST).


METHODS
Archives of experimental material from previously published studies (Ashrafi et al., 1992) were utilized. Animals in experimental group received moist ST (snuff) in their right pouch, 5 days weekly for 24 months, while no snuff was given to control group. After 24 months, the epithelial tissues were processed for electron microscopy study. Volume densities of mitochondria were assessed by morphometry.


METHODS
Mitochondrial volume densities in the two groups, experimental vs control.


RESULTS
In both control and experimental groups mitochondria were concentrated between the nucleus and basal cell plasma membrane. A decrease in the mean mitochondrial volume density (Vvmit) was observed from the basal layer to the more superficial layers in both groups. The experimental HCP displayed more mitochondria than control, and the granular epithelial cell layer in experimental group showed significantly a higher mean Vvmit than the control group (P = 0.03). It was concluded that greater numbers of mitochondria were retained in ST-treated granular cells of the hyperplastic epithelia than in the normal epithelium.
Alonge
O K
OK
Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Science, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
Ashrafi
S H
SH
Colvard
M D
MD
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002610:Cheek; D006224:Cricetinae; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006965:Hyperplasia; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013997:Time Factors; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless / Q000494:pharmacology*