Evaluation of micronucleus frequency by acridine orange fluorescent staining in bucccal epithelial cells of oral submucosus fibrosis (OSMF) patients

Oral submucosus fibrosis (OSMF) is a collagen-related disorder seen in habitual betel quids and smokers. This is a high risk precancerous condition in which the connective tissue fibers of the lamina propria and deeper parts of the mucosa becomes stiff with restricted mouth opening. Patients with severe cases have symptoms like difficulties in chewing, swallowing and speaking. In the present study 25 individuals were gutkha chewers and 25 were OSMF patients (chewing gutkha along with smoking) and 25 individuals were taken as controls. A significant increase in the frequency of micronuclei was observed in OSMF patients (34.4 ± 1.79) as compared to gutkha chewers (14.4 ± 0.73) and controls (4.36 ± 0.27). The number of micronucleated cells in OSMF, gutkha chewers and control groups were 19.84 ± 0.69, 12.6 ± 0.51 and 4.20 ± 0.27, respectively and are significantly different at p < 0.05. Acridine orange is used due its fluorescence nature and easier visibility of the micronucleus present in the buccal epithelial cells. It is concluded that chewing gutkha along with smoking is more dangerous for human health as it hastens the incidence of OSMF.