Exposure to rotating magnetic fields alters morphine-induced behavioral responses in two strains of mice

doi:10.1016/0028-3908(85)90141-8

Neuropharmacology

Volume 24, Issue 4, April 1985, Pages 337-340

https://doi.org/10.1016/0028-3908(85)90141-8 Get rights and content

Abstract

An exposure for 60 min to a 0.5 Hz rotating magnetic field (1.5–90 G) significantly reduced the day-time analgesic and locomotory effects of morphine (10 mg/kg) in CF-1 and C-57BL strains of mice, respectively. Exposure to lower intensity 60 Hz magnetic fields (0–1.0 G) had no effect on analgesia induced by morphine. The reduction in responsiveness to morphine after exposure to the greater intensity rotating field was not evident 24 hr later. No changes were seen in the latencies of basal thermal responses or levels of activity of saline-treated mice exposed to the magnetic stimuli.

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Cited by (30)

Biological effects of rotating magnetic field: A review from 1969 to 2021
2023, Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology
Citation Excerpt :
As one of the classical opioid receptor agonists, morphine (10 mg/kg) can induce analgesia or locomotory effects in different strains of mice. However, these effects and related diel rhythm can be significantly inhibited by a weak RMF (1–90Gs, 0.5Hz, 60minutes exposure) (Kavaliers et al., 1984; Kavaliers and Ossenkopp, 1985). Further research revealed that these effects of RMF were strongly associated with increased calcium tunnel activity and intracellular Ca2+ level in CNS (Kavaliers and Ossenkopp, 1986a, 1987a).
As one of the common variable magnetic fields, rotating magnetic field (RMF) plays a crucial role in modern human society. The biological effects of RMF have been studied for over half a century, and various results have been discovered. Several reports have shown that RMF can inhibit the growth of various types of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo and improve clinical symptoms of patients with advanced cancer. It can also affect endogenous opioid systems and rhythm in central nerve systems, promote nerve regeneration and regulate neural electrophysiological activity in the human brain. In addition, RMF can influence the growth and metabolic activity of some microorganisms, alter the properties of fermentation products, inhibit the growth of some harmful bacteria and increase the susceptibility of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to common antibiotics. Besides, there are other biological effects of RMF on blood, bone, prenatal exposure, enzyme activity, immune function, aging, parasite, endocrine, wound healing, and plants. These discoveries demonstrate that RMF have great application potential in health care, medical treatment, fermentation engineering, and even agriculture. However, in some cases like pregnancy, RMF exposure may need to be avoided. Finally, the specific mechanisms of RMF's biological effects remain unrevealed, despite various hypotheses and theories. It does not prevent us from using it for our good.
Pain perception and electromagnetic fields
2007, Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
A substantial body of evidence has accumulated showing that exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) affects pain sensitivity (nociception) and pain inhibition (analgesia). Consistent inhibitory effects of acute exposures to various EMFs on analgesia have been demonstrated in most studies. This renders examinations of changes in the expression of analgesia and nociception a particularly valuable means of addressing the biological effects of and mechanisms underlying the actions of EMFs. Here we provide an overview of the effects of various EMFs on nociceptive sensitivity and analgesia, with particular emphasis on opioid-mediated responses. We also describe the analgesic effects of particular specific EMFs, the effects of repeated exposures to EMFs and magnetic shielding, along with the dependence of EMF effects on lighting conditions. We further consider some of the underlying cellular and biophysical mechanisms along with the clinical implications of these effects of various EMFs.
Use of a pulsed electromagnetic field for treatment of post-operative pain in dogs: A pilot study
2002, Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia
Citation Excerpt :
In addition, PEMF has been shown to enhance wound healing in the dog (Scardino et al. 1998). Relief from chronic pain has been a common finding associated with PEMF treatment in human patients (Binder et al. 1984; Ellis 1993, Trock et al. 1994), however, PEMF therapy does not appear to provide analgesia in acute pain models (Kavaliers & Ossenkopp 1985; Reed et al. 1987). No studies have investigated PEMF–mediated pain relief in animals.
To determine if pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy reduces post–operative pain in dogs following ovariohysterectomy, and to evaluate PEMF interaction with post–operative morphine analgesia.
Randomized controlled clinical trail.
Sixteen healthy dogs weighing 18 (10–32) kg [median (range)] and aged 13 (3–36) months.
Anesthesia consisted of atropine (0.04 mg kg⁻¹, SC), acepromazine (0.02 mg kg⁻¹, SC), fentanyl (0.01 mg kg⁻¹, SC), thiopental (10–15 mg kg⁻¹, IV) and halothane in oxygen. Ovariohysterectomies were performed by senior veterinary students. Pain score (numeric rating scale, 0–28), pulse rate, respiratory rate, indirect mean arterial pressure (MAP), and body temperature were evaluated prior to anesthetic premedication, at extubation, 30 minutes after extubation, and then hourly for 6 hours. Following extubation, dogs were randomly divided into four groups: a control group that received 0.9% NaCl, IV, and no PEMF; a magnet group that received 0.9% NaCl, IV, and PEMF; a morphine group that received morphine 0.25 mg kg⁻¹, IV, and no PEMF; and, a magnet/morphine group that received morphine 0.25 mg kg⁻¹, IV, and PEMF. A single observer, blinded to treatment, obtained all behavioral observations and physiologic data. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis statistical test with a significance of p < 0.05.
Significant differences in MAP (mm Hg) [median (range)] occurred at 300 minutes [morphine 108 (83–114) and magnet/morphine 90 (83–97) < magnet 135 (113–117)], and at 360 minutes [magnet/morphine 93 (81–100) < control 127 (111–129) and magnet 126 (111–129)]. At 30 minutes the total pain score for the magnet/morphine group [1.5 (0–5)] was significantly less than control [8 (6–13)], but not different from magnet [5.5 (4–7)] or morphine [4.5 (2–9)].
Although no clear benefit was seen in this study, the results suggest that PEMF may augment morphine analgesia following ovariohysterectomy in dogs, and that further study of the analgesic effects of PEMF is warranted.
Ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulses and morphine-induced changes in nociception and activity in mice
1998, Physiology and Behavior
SEAMAN, R. L., M. L. BELT, J. M. DOYLE AND S. P. MATHUR. Ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulses and morphine-induced changes in nociception and activity in mice. PHYSIOL BEHAV 65(2) 263–270, 1998.—Mice were exposed to ultra-wideband (UWB) electromagnetic pulses averaging 99–105 kV/m peak amplitude, 0.97–1.03 ns duration, and 155–174 ps rise time, after intraperitoneal administration of saline or morphine sulfate. They were then tested for thermal nociception on a 50°C surface and for spontaneous locomotor activity and its time profile over 5 min. Analysis of results showed no effect of UWB exposure on nociception and activity measures in CF-1 mice after 15-, 30-, or 45-min exposure to pulses at 600/s or after 30-min exposure to UWB pulses at 60/s. Similarly, no effect was seen in C57BL/6 mice after 30-min exposure to pulses at 60/s or 600/s. Although trends in morphine-modified measures seen with UWB pulse repetition frequency could be expected because of increased levels of low-frequency energy, no significant change was seen in normal or morphine-modified nociception or activity after UWB exposure. This indicated lack of effect of the UWB pulses used in these experiments on nervous system components, including endogenous opioids, involved in these behaviors.
Magnetic field effects on stress-induced analgesia in mice: modulation by light
1994, Neuroscience Letters
Exposure of adult male CD-1 mice to restraint stress for 60 min increased their hindpaw-licking latency in a hot-plate test (50° C); this analgesia was significantly reduced after exposure to a stable magnetic field (MF) (30–40 G) under white light. In contrast, MF exposure under either red light or total darkness did not alter stress-induced analgesia. Results suggest that in rodents perception of magnetism might involve a light-dependent mechanism as recently found for migratory birds and amphibians.
Interactions among aging, gender, and gonadectomy effects upon morphine antinociception in rats
1993, Physiology and Behavior
In addition to age-related deficits in morphine antinociception in female rats, gender and gonadectomy differences have also been observed,with male rats displaying greater magnitudes of effects than females and castrated males. Since there are little data indicating how aging, gender, and gonadectomy interact in modulating morphine antinociception, the present study evaluated alterations in this response as functions of age (6, 12, 18, and 24 months), gender, and gonadal status (intact, gonadectomized) across a dose range (1–10 mg/kg) and time course (0.5–2 h) on the tail-flick test. The maximal percentage effect (MPE) of morphine (1 mg/kg) was significantly increased in castrated males (18 months), sham females (18 and 24 months), and ovariectomized females (18 months) relative to 6-month-old groups. Increases in the MPE of morphine (1 mg/kg) occurred in sham females (24 months) relative to corresponding sham males and ovariectomized females. The MPE of morphine (2.5 mg/kg) was significantly increased in sham males (18 months) and decreased in sham females (12 months). Decreases in the MPE of morphine (2.5 mg/kg) occurred in castrated males (18 and 24 months) as well as sham (18 months) and ovariectomized (18 and 24 months) females relative to sham males. Whereas the MPE of morphine (5 mg/kg) was unchanged by these variables, the MPE of morphine (10 mg/kg) was significantly decreased in sham females (18 and 24 months) relative to females aged 6 months, as well as males and ovariectomized females aged 24 months. Age-related changes in morphine's dose-response curves varied as a function of gender, with decreases in ED₅₀ for sham males and increases in ED₅₀ for sham females, with ovariectomy eliminating the latter effect. Thus, gender emerges as an important variable in assessing aging differences in morphine antinociception in rats, and it appears that circulating gonadal hormones in females may account in part for these differences.

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Exposure to rotating magnetic fields alters morphine-induced behavioral responses in two strains of mice

Abstract

Brain Res.

Life Sci.

Physiol. Behav.

Biosystems

Life Sci.

Neurosci. Lett.

Brain Res.

Tissue interactions with nonionizing electromagnetic fields

Physiol. Rev.

Sensitivity of calcium binding in cerebral tissue to weak environmental electrical fields oscillating at low frequency

Ionic factors in the release of 45Ca2+ from chicken cerebral tissue by electromagnetic fields

Circadian activity rhythm influenced by near zero magnetic field

Nature

Metal ion interactions with opiates

A. Rev. Pharmac. Toxic.

Modification of endorphin/enkephalin analgesia and stress induced analgesia by divalent cations, a cation chelator and an ionophore

Br. J. Pharmac.

Behavioral studies with mice exposed to DC and 60-Hz magnetic fields

Bioelectromagnetics

3H-noradrenaline release potentiated in a clonal cell line by low intensity pulsed magnetic fields

Nature

Ionic factors in the release of ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ from chicken cerebral tissue by electromagnetic fields

³H-noradrenaline release potentiated in a clonal cell line by low intensity pulsed magnetic fields