A Comparison of Carotenoids, Retinoids, and Tocopherols in the Serum and Buccal Mucosa of Chronic Cigarette Smokers versus Nonsmokers

Abstract

Background: Cigarette smoking, a major risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer, is reported to alter oral levels of carotenoids and tocopherols. Such effects may be important because these nutrients, as well as retinoids, are putative chemoprotective agents. Objectives: To determine whether chronic smoking is associated with altered concentrations of these nutrients in serum and buccal mucosa; to distinguish whether such effects are ascribable to diet; and to determine whether oral concentrations of these nutrients correlate with a putative biomarker of oral cancer risk. Methods: Serum and buccal mucosal cells (BMC) were analyzed for these nutrients and for BMC micronuclei in smokers (n = 35) and nonsmokers (n = 21). Results: General linear regression with adjustments for dietary intake showed that smokers possess lower serum concentrations of B-and A-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein,

Role of antioxidants in buccal mucosa cells and plasma on the incidence and severity of oral mucositis after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation

“…The high incidence of low vitamin C concentrations in BMC may be due to a methodical error in the sample processing. In line with others [11,28,30], we found significantly high positive correlations between the AOX concentrations in blood plasma and BMC for vitamin E and ß-carotene.…”

“…Therefore, the determination of their concentrations at the main site of action, namely, the buccal mucosal cells (BMC) as in this study, could be more reliable [8,11].…”

Oxidant status, iron homeostasis, and carotenoid levels of COPD patients with advanced disease and LTOT

“…However, these protective effects of carotenoids may not necessarily be exerted on lung tissues in the smoking human. Indeed, plenty of studies have documented potentially harmful effects of carotenoids on lung outcomes, with increased risk for lung cancer and mortality in heavy smokers [15–19]. …”

Assessment of the Periodontal Status among Kota Stone Workers in Jhalawar, India

“…It has been said that at least 200 substances that are toxic to the biological system have been isolated from tobacco smoke [6]. The buccal cell concentration of the carotenoids, retinoids, and the tocopherols were generally lower among the heavy smokers versus the light smokers [29], which increases the susceptibility of periodontal disease and they may be the reason for the higher incidence of periodontal disease in the smokers group. Cross-sectional studies have consistently shown the higher prevalence, extent, and severity of various periodontal disease outcomes in smokers than in non-smokers [30,31].…”