Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies

Medical Association of pharmacopuncture Institute (사단법인약침학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

The Effects of Wet Cupping Therapy on the Blood Levels of Some Heavy Metals: A Pilot Study

  • Umar, Nafisa K. (Department of Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Science) ;
  • Tursunbadalov, Sherali (Department of Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Science) ;
  • Surgun, Serdar (Department of Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Science) ;
  • Welcome, Menizibeya O. (Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Nile University of Nigeria) ;
  • Dane, Senol (Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Nile University of Nigeria)
  • Received : 2018.04.10
  • Accepted : 2018.06.15
  • Published : 2018.12.31
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Background and aim: Heavy metals have been recognized as toxins for centuries. Cupping therapy has been shown to aid in the excretion of accumulated fluids and toxins from the interstitial fluid. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of wet cupping therapy on blood levels of heavy metals. Methods: Thirteen healthy male individuals [mean age ${\pm}$ standard deviation, $28.47{\pm}6.18$] participated in this study. Venous blood samples were collected 5 min before and 30 days after the wet cupping therapy. Five points of the posterior neck and bilateral perispinal areas of the neck and thoracic spine were selected for cupping therapy. The levels of aluminium (Al), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: The levels of heavy metals (Al, Zn, and Cd) after cupping therapy were significantly lower than the levels before therapy. Conclusions: These results suggest that wet cupping therapy has an excretory effect on the kidney. Wet cupping therapy may clear blood from excess heavy metals.

Keywords

References

  1. Cao H, Han M, Li X, Dong S, Shang Y, Wang Q, et al. Clinical research evidence of cupping therapy in China: a systematic literature review. BMC Complement Altern Med 2010;10:70. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-10-70
  2. Yoo SS, Tausk F. Cupping: East meets West. Int. J. Dermatol 2004;43:664-5. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-4632.2004.02224.x
  3. Arslan M, Yaman G, Ilhan E, Alemdag M, Bahar A, Dane S. Moving dry cupping therapy reduces upper shoulder and neck pain in office workers. Clin Invest Med 2015;38:E217-20.
  4. Shekarforoush S, Foadoddini M, Noroozzadeh A, Akbarinia H, Khoshbaten A. Cardiac effects of cupping: myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure in the rat heart. Chin J Physiol 2012;55:253-8.
  5. Arslan M, Yesilcam N, Aydin D, Yuksel R, Dane S. Wet cupping therapy restores sympathovagal imbalances in cardiac rhythm. J Altern Complement Med 2014;20(4):318-21. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2013.0291
  6. Arslan M, Kutlu N, Tepe M, Yilmaz NS, Ozdemir L, Dane S. Dry cupping therapy decreases cellulite in women: A pilot study. Indian J Tradit Knowle 2015;14(3):359-64.
  7. Cikar S, Ustundag G, Haciabdullahoglu S, Yuksel S, Dane S. Wet cupping(hijamah) increases sleep quality. Clin Invest Med 2015;38:E258-61.
  8. Tagil SM, Celik HT, Ciftci S, Kazanci FH, Arslan M, Erdamar N, et al. Wet-cupping removes oxidants and decreases oxidative stress. Complement Ther Med 2014;22:1032-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2014.10.008
  9. Lee MS, Kim JI, Ernst E. Is cupping an effective treatment? An overview of systematic reviews. J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2011;4(1):1-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2005-2901(11)60001-0
  10. Goodwin J, McIvor RA. Alternative therapy: cupping for asthma. Chest 2011;139(2):475-6. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.10-2220
  11. Cheng S. Heavy metal pollution in China: origin, pattern and control. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2003;10(3):192-8. https://doi.org/10.1065/espr2002.11.141.1
  12. Canli M, Atli G. The relationships between heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn) levels and the size of six Mediterranean fish species. Environ Pollut 2003;121(1):129-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0269-7491(02)00194-X
  13. Liu J, Lewis G. Environmental toxicity and poor cognitive outcomes in children and adults. J Environ Health 2014;76:130-8.
  14. Keil DE. Testing for toxic elements: a focus on arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. LaboratoryMed 2011;42(12):735-42.
  15. Boyd RS. Heavy metal pollutants and chemical ecology: exploring new frontiers. J Chem Ecol 2010;36(1):46-58. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-009-9730-5
  16. Jarup L. Hazards of heavy metal contamination. Br Med Bull 2003;68:167-82. https://doi.org/10.1093/bmb/ldg032
  17. Gok S, Kazanci FH, Erdamar H, Gokgoz N, Hartiningsih SS, Dane S. Is it possible to remove heavy metals from the body by wet cupping therapy. Indian J Tradit Knowle 2015;15(4):700-4.
  18. El Sayed SM, Mahmoud HS, Nabo MMH. Methods of wet cupping therapy (Al-Hijamah): in light of modern medicine and prophetic medicine. Altern Integr Med 2013;2:111.
  19. Mehta P, Dhapte V. Cupping therapy: a prudent remedy for a plethora of medical ailments. J Tradit Complement Med 2015;5(3):127-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2014.11.036
  20. Tang SX. Comparison of the levels of five heavy metals in human urine and sweat after strenuous exercise by ICP-MS. JAMP 2016;4:183-8. https://doi.org/10.4236/jamp.2016.42022
  21. Tasleem Jan A, Azam M, Siddiqui K, Ali A, Choi I, Mohd Q, et al. Heavy metals and human health: mechanistic insight into toxicity and counter defense system of antioxidants. Int J Mol Sci 2015;16(12):29592-630. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms161226183
  22. Tchounwou PB, Yedjou CG, Patlolla AK, Sutton DJ. Heavy metals toxicity and the environment. EXS 2012;101:133-64.
  23. Flora SJS. Metal poisoning: threat and management. Al Ameen J Med Sci 2009;2:4-26.
  24. Wu H. Heavy metals and chelation therapy. J Heavy Met Toxicity Dis 2016;1:1-2.
  25. Niasari M, Kosari F, Ahmadi A. The effect of wet cupping on serum lipid concentrations of clinically healthy young men: a randomized controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med 2007;13:79-82. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2006.4226
  26. El Sayed SM, Mahmoud HS, Nabo MMH. Medical and scientific bases of wet cupping therapy (al-Hijamah): in light of modern medicine and prophetic medicine. Alter Integ Med 2013;2:5.
  27. El Sayed SM, Al-quliti A-S, Mahmoud HS, Baghdadi H, Maria RA, Nabo MMH, et al. Therapeutic benefits of al-hijamah: in light of modern medicine and prophetic medicine. Am J Med Biol Res 2014;2(2):46-71. https://doi.org/10.12691/ajmbr-2-2-3
  28. El Sayed SM, Baghdadi H, Abou-Talep A, Mahmoud HS, Maria RA, Ahmed SN, et al. Al-hijamah and oral honey for treating thalassemia and conditions of iron overload and hyperferremia: toward improving the therapeutic outcomes. J Blood Med 2014;5. 219-237.29.
  29. El Sayed SM, Abou-Talep A, Mahmoud HS, Baghdadi H, Maria RA, Ahmed NS, et al. Percutaneous excretion of iron and ferritin (through Al-hijamah) as a novel treatment for iron overload in beta-thalassemia major, hemochromatosis and sideroblastic anemia. Med Hypotheses 2014;83(2):238-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2014.04.001

Cited by

  1. The Effect of Wet Cupping Therapy on Heavy Metal Levels: A Single-Arm Clinical Trial vol.22, pp.4, 2020, https://doi.org/10.5812/ircmj.96348
  2. The Effect of Wet Cupping Therapy on Blood Pressure and Total Cholesterol on Healthy Young Male Adults vol.9, pp.t4, 2021, https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2021.5854