Objective

Elevated natural killer lymphocyte cytotoxicity (NKc) has been linked with reproductive problems in women. Here we evaluate the potential benefit of cupping therapy (CT) in reproduction-related immune responses.

Methods

This was a pilot clinical study. Participants were healthy female volunteers (n = 23) with elevated NKc, and received repeated CT 3 times over 5 d (inner pressure 40–50 kPa, 40 min; 12–15 cups). Lymphocyte subsets, NKc and NK lymphocyte activity (NKa) were measured in blood on day 0 (initial levels, before the first treatment) and days 3, 10 and 17 after the last CT treatment, using the K562-stimulated CD69 expression assay.

Results

As a result of CT manipulations NKa was reduced on days 3 and 10, and NK percentage was reduced on day 10. NKc was most sensitive to CT treatment, resulting in their decreased counts at 3, 10 and 17 d post CT. CT treatment decreased NKc in the majority of individuals (87%), but the magnitude of the effect was variable. Out of 23 subjects 9 (39.1%) had a 2–3 fold decrease of NKc on days 3, 10 and 17; 11 (47.8%) started to show a decrease in NKc later, or more quickly returned to base levels; and only 3 (13%) subjects displayed no effect of CT on NKc. Expectedly, no changes in T-cell subsets (CD3CD4, CD3CD8, HLADR, CD158a) were observed after CT.

Conclusion

CT decreased NK cell numbers, their activity and cytotoxicity. Low cost, safety, non-invasive nature and ease of administration make CT a promising approach for NKc down-regulation.

Key words: Killer cells, Natural, Cytotoxicity, Cupping therapy