The comparison of normal venous blood with

  Introduction: Cupping therapy (hejamat) is one of the therapeutic methods used in traditional medicine that it is still common in many of the contemporary societies. In spite of the progress of science, we have less information on the traditional and alternative medicine including cupping.   With the study of mechanism of action of cupping, it will be more convincing for the traditional medicine to use it more easily for the treatment. It can then be presented to society with more convincing scientific base.   The aim of this study was to compare venous blood with blood of cupping with regards to biochemical, hematological and immunological factors and evaluate the variation of those factors.   Materials: The sample of study was 56 healthy volunteer men aged between 20 to 40 years. At the beginning of study (the first) 16 ml blood sample from vein was obtained from each volunteer for the comparison of biochemical, hematological and immunological factors. The cupping treatment was then given to the volunteers and another blood sample from cupping was taken for comparison of these factors.   The biochemical factors were evaluated by Selectra auto analyzer, hematological factors by KX-21 cell counter and sedimentation rate was measured by Westergreen method. Cytokines were measured by sensitive sandwich ELISA, using the kit from R&D system.   Results: Analysis of the results showed significant differences in many of the biochemical, hematological and immunological factors between the venous blood and the cupping blood. Conclusion: Based on the results of the comparison between venous blood and cupping blood, the venous blood and cupping blood are different, both in components and immunologic response.