title: Assessment and comparison of phagocytic function and viability of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in saliva of smokers and non-smokers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Tobacco use is one of the most important public health problems worldwide. It is also linked to impairment of normal immunologic surveillance and defence mechanism of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Tobacco smoke and its components have been seen to affect the phagocytic ability and viability of polymorphonuclear leukocytes suggesting the pathogenesis of tobacco induced oral diseases. Aim of this study was to assess and compare the phagocytic function and viability of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in saliva of smokers and non smokers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study comprised of 35 smokers and 35 non-smokers, age matched. Saliva was collected by rinsing method and the polymorphonuclear leukocytes were separated. Phagocytic activity was determined by using latex spheres as targets. Cell viability was measured using trypan blue stain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Salivary polymorphonuclear leukocytes in smokers showed significant reduction in the phagocytic activity by ingesting few latex spheres when compared to the non-smokers. The viability of these cells in saliva of smokers was significantly reduced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study revealed reduced phagocytic activity and viability of salivary polymorphonuclear leukocytes in smokers compared to non-smokers. These findings indicate that smokers are more prone to gingival, periodontal and other oral diseases. Thus indicating that the health care professionals should encourage smoking cessation as an aid in preventing oral diseases.
authors.affiliation: Goa Dental College and Hospital, Bambolim, Goa, Previously: Department of Oral medicine and Radiology, KLE, VK Institute of Dental sciences Belgaum, Karnataka, India. Electronic address: archanam_s@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Archana
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral medicine and Radiology, KLE VK Institute of Dental sciences Belgaum, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Anjana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bagewadi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral medicine and Radiology, KLE VK Institute of Dental sciences Belgaum, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Vaishali
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Keluskar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002470:Cell Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000276:immunology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000276:immunology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
keywords: Cell viability; Latex spheres; Phagocytic activity; Polymorphonuclear leukocytes; Tobacco smokers