Investigation of the effects of wet cupping therapy on some inflammatory factors in patients affected by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): A quasi-experimental trial study with self-controls

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. In this study, we assess the effects of wet cupping therapy, an ancient therapeutic method, on some inflammatory cytokines believed to impact the inflammatory state of the liver of patients affected by NAFLD. A total of sixteen NAFLD grade II and III patients, diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound, participated in this quasi-experimental study with self-control. The subjects received wet cupping therapy three times over six weeks. We assessed anthropometric and biochemical parameters pre- and post-interventions. Results showed that wet cupping therapy reduced C-reactive protein (CRP) by an average of 50% in 67% of NAFLD patients. The first two wet cupping treatments reduced interleukin-1β, especially the second one for an average of 29% in 67% of patients. The efficacy of wet cupping to modify interleukin-6 was seen in the first wet cupping treatment with an average increase of 182% in 41% of patients. This treatment showed an average reduction of 16% of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in 59% of patients. Wet cupping therapy may be seen as a treatment to reduce the inflammatory state in patients affected by NAFLD when given at proper intervals.