Open AccessWet Cupping’s Effect on Nitric Oxide Levels in Hypertensive Patients
Author(s) -
Sharlini Desfika,
Muhammad Ichwan,
Dedi Ardinata
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
open access macedonian journal of medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.288
H-Index - 17
ISSN - 1857-9655
DOI - 10.3889/oamjms.2022.8415
Subject(s) - medicine , blood pressure , nitric oxide , cupping therapy , diastole , anesthesia , pathology , alternative medicine , acupuncture
BACKGROUND: Wet cupping is a non-pharmacological therapy that has been shown to assist hypertensive patients with blood pressure reduction. However, the underlying mechanisms by which wet-cupping lowers blood pressure are currently unknown. More scientific investigation is necessary to explain the mechanism by which wet cupping lowers blood pressure, particularly the role of nitric oxide (NO).AIM: The study aimed to show the effect of wet cupping on NO levels in hypertensive patients.METHODS: A pre-experimental study using a single group pre-test and post-test design to monitor changes in blood NO levels and blood pressure in 45 hypertensive patients in Medan after 4 weeks of wet cupping therapy. The patients’ blood NO levels, as well as their systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP), were measured before and after 4 weeks of wet cupping.RESULTS: After 4 weeks of wet cupping, blood NO levels significantly increased (0.00704 mol/mL, p=0.039), while SBP and DBP levels significantly decreased (12.644 mmHg and 7.111 mmHg, respectively, p<0.001). However, there was no correlation between increased blood NO levels and reductions in SBP and DBP (p=0.468 and p=0.299, respectively).CONCLUSION: This study found that after 4 weeks of cupping therapy, the decrease in SBP and DBP was not accompanied by an increase in blood NO levels.