The Effect of Aspirin and Smoking on Oral Cells

Objectives: Aspirin is one of the most commonly used drugs in the U.S., with 20% of adults taking the drug daily or bi-daily. This commonly available medication can aid in the reduction of pain, fever, arthritis, and the risk of heart attack. Many people take 81 mg of aspirin daily in order to reduce risk of stroke and heart attack. Over 20% of U.S. adults smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoke is toxic to the cells of the oral cavity. Therefore the purpose of this study was to examine if an interaction exists between Aspirin and cigarette smoke on gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells.

Methods: Gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament (PDL) cells were examined after exposure to aspirin ranging up to 800 uM for up to 24 hours. Cell survival, attachment, and motility were examined fluorometrically, in the presence and absence of cigarette smoke extracts (CSE).
Results: Aspirin was not toxic, even at very high levels (800 μM) to gingival fibroblasts and PDL cells. However, lower concentrations of aspirin (< 100 μM) significantly enhanced the cytotoxic effects of CSE to these cells. Lastly, aspirin reduced gingival cell motility implying potential slowing of oral wound healing.

Conclusions: Based on these results, clinically relevant concentrations of aspirin significantly enhances the cytotoxic effects of cigarette smoke to the cells of the oral cavity. Thus, aspirin therapy may have a detrimental side effect of increasing periodontal tissue damage and slowing healing in smokers.