AgNOR count in exfoliative cytology of normal buccal mucosa - Effect of smoking

OBJECTIVE: To compare the argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) c ount of cells collected from normal buccal mucosa of cigarette smokers with that obtained from nonsmokers. STUDY DESIGN: Cytologic smears of normal buccal mucosa from 20 smokers and 20 nonsmokers were stained for AgNORs. The AgNOR count was established on 1 00 cells. The count values of groups were compared and analyzed using Stude nt's unpaired t test. RESULTS: The AgNORs were round and had a clustered distribution in both gro ups. The mean AgNOR count mns statistically higher in cells of smokers than nonsmokers (P < .01). CONCLUSION: Analysis of AgNORs suggests that cigarette smoking influences p roliferative activity in cells of normal buccal mucosa.