Noise Exposure Effects on Blood Glucose, Cortisol and Weight Changes in the Male Mice

Abstract

Background: Noise is one of the most important hazardous factors in industrial environments. Noise has many important negative effects on health; it can cause damage auditory, visual, neurological and psychological and hormonal systems, and physiological and cognitive functions. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the effects of noise exposure on changes in glucose and cortisol serum levels in adult male mice. Methods: A total of 24 adult male mice were randomly divided into two experimental and one control groups. One of the experimental groups was exposed to a noise pressure level of 90 dB played by Cool Edit software on a computer in a frequency range 700 - 5700 Hz, and the other one was exposed to the same noise and received an injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). The experimental groups were exposed to the noise for 30 days, eight hours per day. Twenty-four hours after the end of the exposure period the fasting cortisol and glucose serum levels were measured in the mice of the three groups. Results: The study results showed a significant difference in the level of glucose in non-diabetic and diabetic groups exposed to the noise, compared to the control subjects (P < 0.002). In addition, there was a significant difference in the level of cortisol in non-diabetic and diabetic groups exposed to the noise, compared to the control groups (P < 0.002). Conclusions: The results showed that exposure to a 90 dB noise can increase cortisol and glucose levels. Hence, in work environments where people are exposed to noise, it is expected that such noises have a negative impact on them and the noise may increase cortisol and blood sugar levels.