It is known that toxic materials that enter the body through the mouth impact the oral mucosa and various structures in our body, writes News Medical Life Sciences.And although many studies have been conducted on the impact of tobacco smoke, new research on marijuana is becoming more and more frequent.Case in point, a new study published in the Archives of Oral Biology examined how cannabis smoke condensate (CSC) affects oral health.According to the study, CSC induces damage to human gingival epithelial cells (those that line the gums) through apoptosis, autophagy and oxidative stress.Related content: Dry Mouth After Consuming Cannabis: What Causes It and How to Avoid ItThe research analyzed the effect of CSC on the shape, adhesion and viability of cells at different time intervals.For this, he used microscope observations and lactate dehydrogenase activity assays.The impact of CSCs on autophagy, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis was analyzed by gene expression via RT2-PCR array.“CSC deregulated gingival epithelial cell shape and adhesion, decreased cell viability, and increased lactate dehydrogenase release.Its toxic effects included apoptosis, autophagy, and oxidative stress," the study authors wrote.In summary, cannabis smoke condensate is toxic to gingival epithelial cells.Similar effects have been seen with cigarette smoke condensate.What's more, the scientists found that marijuana smoke caused increased expression of several genes, such as those of the TNF superfamily and the NLR family of apoptosis-inhibiting protein.These reinforced the death of gingival epithelial cells by apoptosis.In addition, the decreased expression of the CD40L gene disrupted cell communication and indirectly caused cell apoptosis.Related content: Cannabis Toothpaste: The Future of Oral Hygiene?What is also important is that scientists believe that since epithelial cells are important in our innate immunity, their reaction to CSC exposure may possibly have an important effect on the immune response.The authors, however, noted that this suggestion should be examined in a new study.Furthermore, these results come from a study in monolayer cell cultures and should be further confirmed by animal studies.Via Benzinga, translated by El Planteo.Photo by Girl with red hat via UnsplashDo you have ideas or comments?You can contact us at info@elplanteo.comFollow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.Copyright © 2022 The Plan.All rights reserved.