title: Electrogustometry Thresholds, Tongue Tip Vascularization, Density, and Form of the Fungiform Papillae Following Smoking Cessation.
abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate differences in gustatory function and in shape, density, and vascularization of the fungiform papillae (fPap) of smokers' tongue before and after smoking cessation. In 24 smokers (19 males, 5 females; median age: 54.6 ± 2.9 years) electrogustometry (EGM) thresholds at the chorda tympani area, at the soft palate area and at the area of the vallate papillae were recorded bilaterally. Morphology and density of the fungiform papillae (fPap) and blood vessels' density and morphology at the tip of the tongue were examined using contact endoscopy (CE). Follow-up exams (EGM and CE) were performed on average 3.2 months after smoking cessation. Findings were compared between the 2 conditions as well as to those of a group of 24 non-smokers (median age: 55.2 ± 3.4 years; 19 males, 5 females). After smoking cessation, EGM thresholds decreased significantly (P = 0.02 or P = 0.03 depending on the tested area) but nonetheless still were quite different from those of non-smokers (P = 0.05 or 0.04 depending on the site of EGM measurement). Under CE the fPap density was higher after quitting smoking (P = 0.05) and the shape and vascularization of fPap also exhibited a trend to improvement (P = 0.05) after smoking cessation. Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke infers long lasting, although to a large extent reversible, alterations in morphology of taste buds in fungiform papillae, but rather irreversible EGM-related functional gustatory compromise, suggesting a profound physiologic effect on human peripheral taste organs.
authors.affiliation: Carl-Thiem Klinikum, ENT Dpt, Thiemstraße 111, 03048 Cottbus, Germany.
authors.forename: Pavlos
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pavlidis
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Mainz, ENT Dpt, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany and.
authors.forename: Haralampos
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gouveris
authors.affiliation: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Medical School, Thessaloniki 541 24, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kekes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010160:Palate, Soft; D012906:Smoke / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control; D012907:Smoking / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013650:Taste Buds / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D014059:Tongue / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012906:Smoke
keywords: contact endoscopy; electrogustometry; fungiform papillae; smoking; vascularization