Effect of Blood Cupping (Al-hijama) on Total Cholesterol, High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol and Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol levels

Abstract

The word "hijama" is derived from "hajm" which means "sucking." cupping is the process of applying cups to various points on the body by removing the air inside the cups to form a vacuum. This study was carried out in Al- Almi for alternative medicine, Al-Rawabih charity organization for Al-Hijamah and Al-Madeina Al-Monwara clinic in Khartoum state; from April to August (2017), to detect the effect of Blood Cupping on Total Cholesterol, High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c); by measuring of their levels before and after 10 days of the Blood Cupping done respectively. This study also aimed to find out if there is a correlation between above parameters before and after cupping done. Forty (40) subjects with different age groups were informed about the nature of study and their agreement was obtained. 2.5 ml venous blood sample was collected before and 10 days after the Blood Cupping which then put in heparine container; plasma sample was separated using centrifuge, the concentrations of the parameters are determined twice time before and after 10 days of Blood Cupping by using semi automated mindray instrument. The results obtained and analyzed using software program (SPSS) version 21; to give the means ± SD concentrations in both before and after 10 days of blood cupping. The result showed that there was a significant decrease in Total Cholesterol and LDL-c parameters before and after 10 days of blood cupping (177± 44.5 to 161 ± 37.3) mg/dl and (113 ± 44.2 to 93 ± 41.2) respectively; however the HDL-c parameter show a significant increase before and after 10 days of blood cupping (46 ± 18.1 to 53 ± 22.7) mg/dl. Also this study found that there was a significant decrease in the mean of blood pressure after 10 days of blood cupping (122 ± 27.7 to 118 ± 24.6). Additionally this result found that there was a strong positive correlation between mean of blood pressure pre and post 10 days of blood cupping and moderate positive correlation between Total Cholesterol, HDL-c and LDLc parameters pre and post blood cupping.