The Effect of Wet Cupping on Transforming Growth Factor-β1 in Patients with Migraine

Bleeding and cupping or 'wet cupping' have been used in medicine since ancient times in the treatment of inflammatory disorders. Recent studies show its useful effects on migraine and sciatica. Some researches show TGF-β1 involvement in immuno-regulation of inflammatory diseases.

of this study was to show if wet cupping have any effect on serum TGF-β1 concentration of patients with migraine and sciatica.

To measure serum TGF-β1 concentration, serum of thirty two (6 male and 26 female) patients and twenty two (4 male 18 female) healthy controls was taken and frozen before and one week after the 3rd treatment. The TGF-β1 concentration was measured by ELISA method.

TGF-β1 levels decreased significantly in the serum of patients after wet cupping (p<0.001). TGF- β1 levels in healthy subjects did not change significantly after wet cupping (p=0.776). The rate of TGF-β1 in patients was higher than healthy subjects (p<0.05).

This study shows wet cupping has a significant effect on TGF-β1 secretion in migraine patients. Given the key role of this cytokine in regulating inflammation in the central nervous system, it seems that wet cupping may help to relieve the disease.