A cytologic study of the effect of Kolanut on the keratinization of the palatal mucosal of Nigerian smokers.

An exfoliative cytologic study of the palatal mucosa was undertaken in 96 Nigerian male volunteers aged between 17 and 65 years. The volunteers were categorised into the following four groups: Group 1--Smokers, kolanut chewers; Group 2--Smokers; Group 3--Kolanut chewers; and Group 4--Non-smokers, non-kolanut chewers, Variation in the degree of palatal keratinization was evaluated using karyopyknotic indices. Statistical analysis based on one way analysis of variance showed that smoking and kolanut chewing had a statistically significant influence (P less than 0.05) on the variation of palatal keratinization among the volunteers. Distribution of karyopyknotic indices among groups was such that Group 1 greater than Group 2 greater than Group 3 greater than Group 4. Observation from this study suggests a potentiation of the cigarette smoking-induced palatal keratinization by kolanut.