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The ultrastructure of the gingival epithelium in smokers'melanosis
Author(s) -
Anders Hedin and C.,
Larsson ÅKe
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
journal of periodontal research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.31
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0765
pISSN - 0022-3484
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1984.tb00806.x
Subject(s) - melanin , melanosome , melanosis , ultrastructure , oral mucosa , pathology , epithelium , melanocyte , medicine , dermatology , biology , melanoma , cancer research , genetics
The ultrastructural morphology of melanocytes and keratinocytes was studied in clinically pigmented and non‐pigmented gingival tissue from smokers and non‐smokers. No differences were found between clinically pigmented lesions in smokers and non‐smokers. In contrast, clinically non‐pigmented tissue of smokers contained significantly more melanin‐loaded keratinocytes as compared to that of non‐pigmented non‐smokers. In tissue of smokers and pigmented non‐smokers melanocytes contained well melanized melanosomes (stages III and IV) as compared to non‐pigmented tissue of non‐smokers where stage II melanosomes dominated. It was concluded that tobacco smoking may be a causative factor in melanin pigmentation of the oral mucosa and that smoking activates the epithelial melanin unit in a non‐specific way. The hypothesis was put forward that in the oral mucosa melanin plays a role as a binder of toxic products such as free radicals and polycyclic compounds. In this way the epithelial melanin unit serves a protective function and prevents tissue damage.