Genotoxicidad por tabaco y su impacto en la salud de la población adulta lojana

Abstract

Abstract: Smoking is a global public health problem with genotoxic effects. This study analyzed nuclear alterations in buccal epithelial cells according to smoker type in 36 adults from Loja (Ecuador), classified as light (26), moderate (7), and heavy (3) smokers. The adapted protocol from Thomas (2009) and Pearson correlation analysis were applied. Results showed a higher frequency of micronuclei in heavy smokers (13.50 ± 22.09) compared to moderate (5.14 ± 8.40) and light smokers (3.85 ± 9.00), with a weak non significant positive correlation (r=0.2323; p=0.17). No other nuclear alteration showed a significant correlation (p>0.05). Although statistical significance was not reached, the observed trend has biological relevance and coincides with other studies. Increasing the sample size is justified to clarify the relationship between smoking and genotoxic damage in the adult population of Loja.