Efficacy of Wet Cupping on Reactive Oxygen Species and Antioxidant Capacity:A Self-controlled Interventional Study
Phase: NA
Conditions: Healthy
Sponsor: Karabuk University

05.Jan.2018 
 
Efficacy of Wet Cupping on Reactive Oxygen Species and Antioxidant 
Capacity:A Self-controlled Interventional Study 
 
 
 
STUDY PROTOCOL 
 
Among the healthy individuals who applied for Wet Cupping Therapy (WCT) to Traditional 
and Complementary Therapies (TCT) center in Karabuk Medical Faculty  Education and 
Research Hospital, 24 individuals were enrolled in the study.Individuals who had a chronic 
disease, use  medication eveyday and have conditions contraindicated for WCT (such as 
(Hgb<9,5;INR>1,2) were excluded.  
Informed consent was obtained from all the individuals  participated in the study. Ethical 
approval was granted by Karabuk University Clinical Trials Ethics Commitee with number 
1/5 and date 09.01.2018.  
All patients underwent three sessions of Wet Cupping Treatments (WCT), at one 
month intervals consecutively (0 days, 30 days, and 60 days). WCT was performed using 
disposable vacuum cups on 5 acupuncture point locations: DU 14 (Dazhui) point on the 
posterior median line, in the depression below the processus spinosus of the 7th cervical 
vertebra; UB 42 (Pohu) points bilaterally on the back, 3.0 cun lateral to the lower border of 
the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra interscapular region; and UB 46 (Geguan) 
points bilaterally on the back, 3.0 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 
7th thoracic vertebra (Figure 1). Each WCT procedure took about 20 min and was conducted 
in 5 phases: 
Sterilization: The selected regions is disinfected with povidone iodine before the 
procedure. 
Primary sucking: The cup is placed on the selected sites and the air is withdrawn from 
inside the cup by manual suction. The cups are located on the skin and left for a period of 
3 to 5 minutes. 
Scarification: Superficial incisions, 2–3 mm in depth and 3–5 mm in length, are made on 
the skin using a number 15 sterile surgical blade. 

Blood-letting by secondary sucking: The cups are located on the skin again, in the same 
manner as described above, and left until filled with blood from the capillary. 
Disconnection and dressing: The cups filled with blood are removed and destroyed as 
medical waste. A dressing with sterile sponge is applied. 
The individuals venous blood samples obtained initially and after the completion of the three 
concecutive application will be evaluted in terms of Reactive Oxygen species and Antioxidant 
capacity. In addition samples from the cupping blood during the first and the third WCT 
application will also be obtained and evaluated in the same manner. Total antioxidant 
status(TAS),total oxidant status (TOS),super oxide dismutase (SOD),catalase (CAT) levels 
will be measured biochemically in all samples.