Application of Citrovorum Factor to the Buccal Mucosa of Anemic Patients: A Cytologic Study

¹ University of Alabama Medical Center, Department of Pathology, Birmingham, Alabama

Large nuclei have been noted in the epithelial cells of the buccal mucosa of patients with anemias related to folic acid deficiency. By use of a specially designed plastic disk, ten patients with anemia had citrovorum factor (a folic acid derivative) applied directly to a portion of the buccal mucosa. Another region of the buccal mucosa which had an application of saline solution served as a control.

Smears were taken from the region of treatment and the control area for 5 days after therapy. The nuclei were measured under blind experimental conditions, and the results were subjected to an analysis of variance. No significant difference in nuclear size was noted during the 5 days of the experiment.