Effects of smoking on the density of the uterine cervix Langerhans’ cells - DOI: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v26i2.1592

Abstract

The role of smoking in the chemical carcinogenesis is well-known, and the high concentration of tobacco derivatives such as nicotine has been associated with the depression of the Langerhans’cells (LCs). The high regression rate of the human papilomavirus (HPV) infection and the evolution of some cases into malignancy suggest the existence of multiple associated factors in the neoplasic imunosurveillance . A study was undertaken on the effects of the smoking on the alterations of LCs in women with negative Hybrid Capture. Thirty women were studied through the clinical method, colposcopy, histopatology, immunohistochestry, histometry and hibridization assay. The sample was divided into two groups: smokers (n = 8) and non-smokers (n = 22). The nonparametric Wilcoxon rank-sum test was employed for statistical analysis. The averages of LCs densities in the epithelium were of 232.41 cells/mm² for smokers, and 221.08 cells/mm² for non smokers (p>0,05). Results did not show significant difference in LCs densities between smokers and non smokers.