EFFECTS OF CIGARETTE SMOKE ON CYCLOXYGENASE-2 IN ORAL MUCOSA

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Primary Hypothesis: The primary hypothesis of this study is that healthy heavy smokers will express higher levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and related molecules in their oral mucosa. Specific Aims: 1. To evaluate the difference in levels of COX-2 in normal appearing buccal (cheek) mucosa (surface lining of the cheek) between 30 heavy smokers and 30 never smokers. 2. To evaluate the association of pack years of cigarette exposure with levels of COX-2 in normal appearing buccal mucosa of 30 never smokers. 3. To evaluate the difference in levels of activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase and other related molecules in normal appearing buccal (cheek) mucosa (surface lining of the cheek) between 40 heavy smokers and 40 never smokers.