Analgesic effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields in mice

Abstract Background: Environmental factors such as electromagnetic fields influence the pain sensation. Objective: To investigate the possible analgesic effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) exposure and possible interaction between ELF-EMFs and opioid, alpha and beta adrenergic systems. Methods: This was an experimental study in which the effect of 60 Hz magnetic field (100mT) on the pain threshold of 80 male albino mice was investigated. Pain threshold was assessed by the tail immersion technique using water with a temperature of 52 C. Findings: The mean pain threshold was significantly increased in case group (5.85±0.69 sec) compared to control group (3.77 ± 0.55 sec) following ELF-EMF exposure (p<0.0001). Pretreatment of animals with naloxane (2 mg/kg) and phentolamine (10 mg/kg) significantly reduced the effect to (3.97 ± 0.7 sec and 4.01 ±0.49 sec), respectively (p<0.0001). There was no change in the value of mean pain threshold (5.77±0.68 sec) when propranolol (10 mg/kg) was administered (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Based on our data, exposure to ELF-EMFs could induce analgesic behavior in mice and the associated effect is related to opioid and alpha-adrenergic systems.