Ultrastructural analysis of oral exfoliated epithelial cells of tobacco smokers and betel nut chewers: A scanning electron microscopy study

Abstract

Background: The study was undertaken to correlate epithelial surface pattern changes of oral
exfoliated cells of tobacco smokers and betel nut chewers and also to compare them with patients
of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and healthy individuals.
Materials and Methods: In this cross‑sectional study, a total of fifty persons were included in the
study, out of which thirty formed the study group (15 each tobacco smokers and betel nut chewers)
and twenty formed the control group (ten each of OSCC patients – positive control and ten normal
buccal mucosa – negative control). Their oral exfoliated cells were scraped, fixed, and studied under
scanning electron microscope (SEM). The statistical analysis was determined using ANOVA, Tukey
honestly significant difference, Chi‑square test, and statistical SPASS software, P < 0.05.
Results: OSCC, Individual cell modifications, intercellular relationships and surface characteristics
observed by scanning electron microscopy between OSCC, tobacco smokers, betel nut chewers
compared to normal oral mucosa have been tabulated.
Conclusion: In normal oral mucosa, cell surface morphology depends on the state of keratinization
of the tissue. Thus, it could prove helpful in detecting any carcinomatous change at its incipient stage
and also give an insight into the ultra-structural details of cellular differentiations in epithelial tissues..
Key Words: Betel nut , chewing, oral , Exfoliated ,cells, scanning electron microscopy, tobacco smoke, ultrastructure, analysis