Journal of Acupuncture Research

Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine Society (대한침구의학회)
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Effects of Wet Cupping (Al-Hijamah) on Cholesterol in a Sudanese Population

  • Amna Mohammed Alamin Abbshar (Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Medical Sciences and Technology) ;
  • Hafsa Ahmed Elrheima Ahmed (Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Medical Sciences and Technology)
  • Received : 2023.10.05
  • Accepted : 2023.10.19
  • Published : 2023.11.30
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Abstract

Background: Wet cupping (WC) is an efficient and cost-effective technique for removing metabolic waste from the bloodstream via the skin. The study aimed to examine the effect of WC on cholesterol levels including total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in a Sudanese population. Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 30 participants undergoing regular WC therapy were enrolled. Blood samples collected twice: pre-WC therapy (case group) and 10-14 days afterward (controls). Results: Of the participants, 56.67% were male and 43.33% were female, aged 24-69. Pre-WC TC and LDL-C levels were significantly higher than the post-WC control group (p = 0.001). Conversely, HDL-C levels decreased significantly in the pre-WC cases compared to controls (p = 0.001). No significant sex-based difference in mean cholesterol levels (p > 0.05). Conclusions: After WC, males and females experienced significant reductions in TC and LDL-C, and significant increase in HDL-C.

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Acknowledgement

We are grateful to the Ya Hafeez and Cupping World Center for their dedication to promoting and advancing cupping therapy, which has been instrumental in making this research possible. We sincerely appreciate their assistance in facilitating data collection and providing a conducive environment for our study.

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