Volatile components of cigarette smoke: Effect of acrolein and acetaldehyde on human gingival fibroblasts in vitro

Background: Tobacco and some of its volatile and non-volatile components ha ve been found to affect many types of cells including gingival fibroblasts. Since normal gingival fibroblast functioning is fundamental to the mainten ance of the periodontal connective tissue, as well as to wound healing, we examined the effect of acrolein and acetaldehyde, volatile components of ci garette smoke, on proliferation, attachment, and ultrastructure of human gi ngival fibroblasts (HGFs) in culture. Methods: Human gingival fibroblast (HGF) strains derived from healthy indiv iduals with non-inflamed gingiva were used in this study. The cells were in cubated in the presence of different concentrations of acrolein and acetald ehyde. Cell attachment and proliferation were evaluated after incubation fo r 3 hours and 5 days, respectively. In addition, the cells were examined wi th a transmission electron microscope in order to evaluate their morphology . Results: The results show that acrolein and acetaldehyde produced dose-depe ndent inhibition of HGF attachment and proliferation. The cytotoxic effect was, however, reversible when both substances were removed, after 3 days, f rom the medium. The main ultrastructural finding for the HGF cytoplasm was the presence of vacuoles and lysosomal structures that became prominent wit h increasing concentration of acrolein and acetaldehyde. Conclusions: Our experimental data suggest that acrolein and acetaldehyde, volatile components of tobacco smoke, are detrimental to HGF survival and c onsequently to the oral connective tissue. According to our morpho-function al evidence, these findings corroborate clinical and epidemiological invest igations demonstrating smoke as a risk factor in the development of periodo ntal disease.