Cytological features of buccal epithelium in patients of various ages

Abstract

The article describes the potential of buccal cells investigations. The authors presented buccal epithelium application in noninvasive diagnosis of early human aging; identified common cytological features of buccal epithelium for different ages; revealed the accumulation of cytogenetic abnormalities (epithelial cells with micronuclei, protrusions of the nucleus) and degenerative-dystrophic changes (perinuclear vacuole, condensed chromatin, karyorexis, karyolysis) with age. These findings reflect the predominance of apoptosis over reparation in the process of aging.