Abstract:

Objective:The study aimed at investigating the effects of areca nut extracts on the levels of ICAM-1 expressed by the oral fi- broblasts.Methods:The fibroblasts were obtained from normal buccal mucosa and buccal mucosal with submucous fibrosis and cultured in vitro. The levels of ICAM-1 expressed by fibroblasts incubated with/without ANE in the presence of 10% fetal calf serum in the mixed gas of 5% CO2and air at37efor48 h, were monitored using cell-based ELSA.Results:The fibroblasts ob- tained frommucosalwith oral submucous fibrosis expressed ICAM-1 at a high level. ANE increased the expression levels of ICAM- 1 in both fibroblasts obtained from normal and abnormal mucosa.Conclusion:The high expression levels of ICAM-1 in the fibrob- lasts of oral submucousfibrosis and ANE stimulated the expression of ICAM-1, whichmay be one of the importantmechanismswhy lymphocytes become localized and retained atthe side of connective tissue during inflammation and lead to activation of fibro

Key words: fibroblasts, areca nut, intercellular adhesion, oral submucous fibrosis