The effect of wet cupping on serum lipid concentrations of clinically healthy young men: a randomized controlled trial

Objectives. Reduction in serum lipoproteins, especially LDL cholesterol, is a preventive approach against atherosclerosis. Bloodletting has been a recommended method to reduce serum lipoprotein concentrations. Present study was conducted to investigate the effects of wet cupping as a method of bloodletting on serum lipoproteins. In a randomized controlled trial, 47 men, 18-25 years old, without chronic disease and the history of hyperlipidemia and anti-hyperlipidemic drug consumption, were admited. Subjects were randomly assigned into control (n = 24) and treated (n = 23) groups. Treated group men were subjected to wet cupping while control group men remained untreated. The serum concentrations of lipids, collected from brachial vein were performed at the onset of wet cupping and then once a week for 3 weeks. Data were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results. Substantial decrease in LDL cholesterol (P < 0.0001) and LDL/HDL ratio (P < 0.0001) was found in the treated group compared to the control. There were no significant changes in serum triglyceride. Although there were no statistically significant variations in total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol (P > 0.05), 7 percent decrease in total cholesterol and 3 percent increase in HDL cholesterol may be clinically important. Conclusion. Wet cupping may be an effective method of reducing LDL-cholesterol in men and therefore may have predictive effects against atherosclerosis.