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

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.