[Influence of smoking on apoptosis in human gingival epithelium].
OBJECTIVE
Cigarette smoking was a major risk factor for oral hygiene and periodontal status. The study was to investigate the relationship between different exposure to cigarette smoke and apoptosis in stratum spinosum and stratum basale cells of human gingival epithelium.


METHODS
47 smoking patients with crown lengthening surgery or extraction of the impacted teeth were enrolled. It comprised 41 males and 6 females. Their age ranged from 18 to 29 years old (average age: 21.4). According to smoke history (SH), average cigarettes per day (ACD) and total smoke number (TSM), 47 smokers were divided into group I (SH<5a or ACD<10 and TSM<15 thousand, n=19), group II (5a< or = SH or 10< or = ACD and 15 thousand < or =TSM, n=28). Another 10 non-smoking patients were chosen as control. Apoptosis was identified by the terminal deoxy-transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. Differences between the two groups were analyzed using Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK).The criteria for statistical significance was accepted at the probability level P<0.05.


RESULTS
There was increased apoptosis in stratum spinosumin and stratum basale cells of smokers compared to that of non-smokers. Apoptosis in stratum spinosumin cells was significantly different between smokers and non-smokers (P<0.01), between group I and group II (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
It is conclude that exposure to cigarette smoke can increase apoptosis in stratum spinosumin cells of human gingival epithelium, which may influence its normal metabolism and protein secretion.
Yu
Xi-jiao
XJ
Department of Periodontology, School of Stomatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China.
Li
Shu
S
Xue
Lan-de
LD
Xiao
Chang-Jie
CJ
D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*