effect of short-time exposure of local extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on sleepiness in male rats

Introduction: lack of high-quality sleep causes severe side effects like anxiety and changes in plasma concentration of oxalate. the current study investigated the impact of local extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (elf-mfs) on inducing sleep (sleepiness) and anxiety in male rats. methods: in this experimental study, 40 male rats were divided into four groups (n=10 for each group). the elf-mf exposure (0, 10, and 18 hz) was applied with an intensity of 200μt for three days (10 min/d). the sham-treated animal did not receive elf-mf. serum levels of oxalic acid (oa) and sleepiness were measured before and after the last exposure to elf-mf or sham. anxiety, sleepiness, and oa were measured using the elevated plus maze, open-field test (oft), and elisa test. results: a comparison of oxalate levels before and after exposure to elf-mf revealed that elf-mf (10 hz) decreased the serum level of oxalate (p<0.05). comparing open/ closed arm entry (in an elevated plus maze) between before and after exposure to elfmf revealed significant differences. also, frequency, velocity, and distance moved were decreased in the open-field test. conclusion: results of the present study demonstrated that elf-mf with short-time exposure may modulate the metabolism of oa and may modulate anxiety-like behavior or kind of induction of sleepiness in male rats.