Is DNA ploidy related to smoking?

In the oral cavity, genomic instability is caused by long-term exposure to carcinogens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between smoking and DNA ploidy.

Cytological material was obtained from patients participating in the Outpatient Smoking Treatment Program of the Heart Institute (INCOR-HCFMUSP), and of the Discipline of Oral Medicine (ICT-UNESP). The inclusion criteria for all groups were the absence of a history of malignant tumors, absence of clinical signs of changes in the selected area, and alcohol consumption of less than 3 units per week. Group 1:30 smokers before smoking cessation treatment; Group 2:30 non-smokers; Group 3:30 ex-smokers abstinent for at least 1 year. Cytological smears were collected from the floor of the mouth and border of the tongue and stained by Feulgen. Aneuploidy was evaluated using the ACIS® III system.

The Kruskal-Wallis test showed no statistically significant difference (P = .4383) between the groups studied. No association between tobacco consumption and aneuploidy was observed in group 1 (P = 1) or group 2 (P = .68; Fisher's exact test).

Smoking was not associated with changes in DNA content or the incidence of aneuploidy in normal oral mucosa.