Increased number of micronuclei and nuclear anomalies in buccal mucosa cells from people exposed to alcohol-containing mouthwash

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of alcohol-containing mouthwash on the induction of micronuclei and nuclear anomalies in exfoliated buccal cells, including binucleated cells, cells with nuclear buds, and karyolitic, karyorrhectic, condensed chromatin, and pyknotic cells. Buccal mucosa cells were collected from 107 healthy participants who were divided into three groups: control subjects who did not use mouthwash (n = 33), subjects who were exposed for 30 days and two times rinsing with 30 seconds each time to alcohol-containing mouthwash (n = 38; 26% ethanol concentration); and subjects exposed to a non-alcohol-containing mouthwash (n = 36). A slide was used to collect cells from the oral mucosa from the inner lining of both cheeks. Samples were spread directly onto two separate, precleaned and precoded slides. Smears were air-dried, fixed, stained, and analyzed by microscopy for micronuclei and nuclear anomalies. Frequency of micronuclei, nuclear buds, and karyolitic, karyorrhectic, and condensed chromatin cells increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the alcohol-containing mouthwash group after mouthwash exposition, compared with both the control and the non-alcohol-containing mouthwash groups. Our results suggest that subjects exposed to alcohol-containing mouthwash exhibited an increase in frequency of micronuclei and nuclear anomalies in oral mucosal cells, which is directly related to DNA damage.