OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of nicotine and tobacco extract (ST) on PDLFs morphology, structure, proliferation and attachment.

METHODSPDLFs were cultured in the presence of nicotine and ST at various concentration. The cell changes in the morphology and structure were examined by histological and transmission electrical microscope (TEM). The growth and attachment of cell were measured by MTT method.

RESULTSThe size of the cells became smaller gradually and their shapes changed from shuttle type to oval or round when the concentration of nicotine and ST increased, the polarity of the cells was in disorder, ultrastructure showed that the organelles, especially rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and golgi complex decreased in number, microtubule and microfilaments were disassembled, the nuclei became fewer or shrunk, the growth and attachment were dose-dependently inhibited.

CONCLUSIONSNicotine and ST can change PDLFs' morphology and structure, they may inhibit the growth and attachment through disruption of the cytoskeleton, suggesting nicotine and ST may have pathological role on human periodontitis.

Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Humans ; Nicotine ; toxicity ; Periodontal Ligament ; drug effects ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Plant Extracts ; toxicity ; Tobacco