Micronucleus evaluation of exfoliated buccal epithelial cells using liquid-based cytology preparation.
OBJECTIVE
Micronuclei (MN) are biomarkers that can be applied to buccal epithelial cells to assess populations occupationally exposed to potentially carcinogenic agents. Liquid-based cytology (LBC) is a way to improve and refine the results obtained by this test.


METHODS
Exfoliated buccal cells were collected from 40 subjects (20 construction workers from the Barretos Cancer Hospital and 20 administrative staff from the same institution). LBC and three stains (Feulgen/fast green, Papanicolaou and Giemsa) were used to prepare the slides. Student's t test was applied for statistical comparisons of the data. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.


RESULTS
Regardless of the stain employed, the frequency of MN was greater in the case group (Feulgen/fast green: 5.15; Papanicolaou: 29; Giemsa: 26) than in the control group (Feulgen/fast green: 2.30; Papanicolaou: 17; Giemsa: 15).


CONCLUSIONS
Using LBC to prepare slides and evaluate the frequency of MN potentially serves as a screening option for more comprehensive studies of cancer risk among populations occupationally exposed to potentially carcinogenic agents. In addition, the residual fluid enables the preparation of slides for DNA-specific stains that can be compared to those with Papanicolaou stain.
Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, Brazil.
Manoela Aguena
MA
Ramos
Fernanda de Paula
Fde P
Cury
Cristovam
C
Scapulatempo Neto
Marcia M C
MM
Marques
Henrique César Santejo
HC
Silveira
D000328:Adult; D001399:Azure Stains; D001938:Brazil; D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D048629:Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D016272:Occupational Health; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
D001399:Azure Stains; D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental; D004396:Coloring Agents; C007722:Feulgen stain; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes