The effects of exposure of mice to a 50 Hz magnetic field on depressive-like behavior and the role of nitric oxide should be investigated.
NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) was used to exert an anti-depressive effect. It was diluted in physiological saline and administered intraperitoneally (30 mg/kg) after exposure.
72 male mice were divided into the following groups (n=9 each): 1) acute exposure, 2) chronic exposure, 3) acute exposure and administration of L-NAME, 4) acute exposure and administration of saline (sham administration). For each group, a separate sham exposure group was used.
| Exposure | Parameters |
|---|---|
|
Exposure 1:
50 Hz
Exposure duration:
continuous for 2 hours
|
|
|
Exposure 2:
50 Hz
Exposure duration:
continuous for 2 hours/day for 2 weeks (6 days/week, 1 day break)
|
|
| Frequency | 50 Hz |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Exposure duration | continuous for 2 hours |
| Additional info | acute exposure |
| Exposure source | |
|---|---|
| Chamber | plexiglass cage |
| Setup | two pairs of coaxially arranged Helmholtz coils with winding embedded in a plexiglass frame; the diameter of each coil was 91.4 cm; the distance between the coils in the pairs was 50 cm and there were 60 turns of 2.5 mm copper wire oriented along the vector of the geomagnetic field; the centrally horizontal MF was homogenous in the plexiglass cage with 4-5 animals (groups were divided); the temperature during exposure did not exceed 27 °C |
| Sham exposure | A sham exposure was conducted. |
| Measurand | Value | Type | Method | Mass | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| magnetic flux density | 0.5 mT | effective value | measured | - | - |
| Frequency | 50 Hz |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Exposure duration | continuous for 2 hours/day for 2 weeks (6 days/week, 1 day break) |
| Additional info | chronic exposure |
| Exposure source |
|
|---|---|
| Sham exposure | A sham exposure was conducted. |
| Measurand | Value | Type | Method | Mass | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| magnetic flux density | 0.5 mT | effective value | measured | - | - |
Chronic exposure (group 2) significantly reduced depressive-like behaviour compared to the sham exposure, while acute exposure (group 1) did not show significant differences compared to the sham exposure.
However, acute exposure in combination with L-NAME (group 3) significantly increased the depressive-like behaviour compared to the respective sham exposure and thus negating the anti-depressing effect of L-NAME.
Locomotor activity did no show any significant differences between the groups.
The authors conclude that chronic exposure of mice to a 50 Hz magnetic field could alter depressive-like behavior in mice. The reversion of the anti-depressive effect of L-NAME indicates a possible increase of nitric oxide in the brain due to the magnetic field exposure.
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