Objective: The main aim of this study is to evaluate the micronuclei scoring as a biomarker for early detection and screening of genotoxic effect of cigarette smoking in the peripheral blood T- lymphocytes.
Methods: A total number of eligible 148 individuals have participated in the study; 78 Current smokers and 70 never smokers. Cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay was performed for all the participants in the peripheral blood T-lymphocytes. Assessment of the smoking status of the participants was conducted through the detailed smoking history, Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND) scoring, and determination of the urinary cotinine creatinine ratio (CCR).
Result: A significantly higher frequency of micronuclei in the binucleated T-lymphocytes(BMNi) was identified in the smokers group as compared to the nonsmokers; OR=4.9, 95% CI=1.9-12.5), P-value=0.006. Both of the pack years and the smoking duration of the smokers could significantly predict the BMNi scoring; P-value=0.001, 0.002 respectively.
Conclusion: Our results indicate the association between BMNi and cigarette smoking, suggesting that BMNi Scoring can be a useful biomarker for early detection and screening of the genotoxic effect of cigarette smoking as a primary preventive measure for various smoking induced cancers.<br />.
Keywords: Cigarette smoking; Lymphocytes; genotoxicity; micronuclei.