Cytogenetical analysis in blood lymphocytes of cigarette smokers in Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu, India

BackgroundTobacco smoke causes serious health ill effects to human population. Cancer and cardiovascular diseases are more common in smoking subjects.AimThe present study is focused about the genetical changes in smoking subjects based on their age and pack years.Subjects and methodsBased on a survey report, 160 subjects are selected from Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu, India. Venous blood and buccal smear samples are collected from each subject.ResultsIncreased CA is observed in heavy smokers compared to light and non smokers which is 8.90 ± 2.58, 4.58 ± 2.36 and 4.31 ± 1.17, respectively. Both medium and light smokers showed significantly increased CA frequencies than control. Comet assay showed increased percentage of abnormalities in smokers (light, medium and heavy) than non-smokers.ConclusionThe frequencies of MN in buccal epithelial and blood lymphocytes are high in smokers; particularly heavy smoker group showed significantly increased results. Among them, the lymphocytic cells showed high MN frequency.