Greater Sensitivity of Oral Fibroblasts to Smoked Versus Smokeless Tobacco

Background: Smokers have an increased incidence and severity of periodontal disease. Although cigarette smoke contains >4,000 chemical components that could affect periodontal tissues, less is understood about the effect of smokeless tobacco. Therefore, this study compares the effects of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and smokeless tobacco extract (STE) on cell survival and motility of periodontal ligament (PDL) and gingival fibroblasts in vitro.Methods: PDL and gingival fibroblasts were exposed to various concentrations of CSE, STE, or nicotine alone. Viable cells were labeled with calcein acetoxymethyl, visualized using fluorescent microscopy, and quantified using a fluorescence multi-well plate reader. In vitro wounding and collagen gel contraction assays were used to assess cell motility.Results: Both gingival and PDL fibroblasts displayed reduced cell viability with increasing concentrations of CSE and STE. Based on relative nicotine content, CSE was significantly more cytotoxic than STE. PDL fibrobla...