Journal of Dental Research, Vol 79, 850-856, Copyright © 2000 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
AgNOR are sensitive markers of radiation lesions in squamous epithelia
M. V. Ielmini, E. Heber, A. E. Schwint, R. L. Cabrini and M. E. Itoiz
Department of Radiobiology, National Atomic Energy Commission, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The possibility of detection of incipient cellular alterations is central
to early diagnosis and to clinician's capacity to discriminate between
samples that appear similar on routine preparations. We examined the value
of silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR) in detecting
radio-induced alterations in a model of squamous epithelium biologically
similar to oral mucosa. Morphometry of AgNOR has been proven to be of value
in the detection of incipient cellular alterations. This method allows for
the quantitative evaluation of lesions induced by high doses of radiation
long before they become apparent in routine preparations. We herein examine
the capacity of AgNOR to reveal the response to low doses of radiation,
closer to the therapeutic or accidental dose to which the epithelium of
oral mucosa may be exposed.
