Influence of moon phases on serum level of sodium and lithium: a quasi-experimental study on rabbits

Abstract

The present research aims to study the effects of moon phases on serum sodium and lithium levels in rabbits. Twenty-four male rabbits in two separated groups (sodium and lithium groups) were studied. In each study group, there were 12 rabbits, and 40 mg/kg lithium carbonate was orally administered to rabbits in one group on a daily basis. On days 1, 5, 9, 13, 15, 17, 21, and 25 of a lunar month, blood samples were taken from all rabbits. The highest mean of serum sodium levels was observed on the first day and the lowest mean was related to the 15th lunar day. Significant difference was noted between the 1st, 5th, 13th, and 17th days of the lunar month. In the lithium group, there was also a decreasing trend from the 1st to 17th lunar day in serum lithium level, but there was no statistical difference between lithium serum levels on different days of the lunar month. Fluctuations of bodily fluids under the influence of moon phases can be an effective factor in the changes in serum sodium levels. It is probable that due to small sample size we could not find significant difference in serum lithium levels.