ABSTRACT
Context: Growth/differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a diagnostic and prognostic marker associated with inflammation, renal damage, and cardiovascular risk in type-2 diabetes mellitus. Researchers have proposed treatment targets that reduce GDF-15 levels. Objective: Our aim in this study is to investigate the effect of major autohemotherapy on GDF-15 levels and to evaluate it as a complementary therapy. Design: The research team designed a laboratory study to examine the effect of major hemotherapy on GDF-15 levels in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus and healthy volunteers. Blood was drawn from the participants in a closed system, infused with ozone gas, and reinfused into the patients. Setting: The study was carried out from 15 August-5 October at Kirsehir Training and Research Hospital Traditional and Complementary Medicine Center, Turkey. Participants: The study was conducted prospectively, and two groups were formed, consisting of those with type-2 diabetes mellitus (n = 21) and healthy volunteers (n = 14). Outcome Measures: All participants received 10 sessions of major autohemotherapy at a concentration of 25-35 micrograms/milliliter twice a week. Before and after the application, GDF-15, fasting glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and lipid panel levels were studied and compared. Results: Age, GDF-15, fasting glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and triglyceride levels were found to be higher in the type-2 diabetes mellitus group compared to the healthy group, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were found to be lower. After major autohemotherapy, GDF-15 and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased significantly in the type-2 diabetes mellitus group. No change was observed in the healthy group. Conclusions: As a new treatment strategy, major autohemotherapy reduces GDF-15 levels in type-2 diabetes mellitus and contributes to the therapeutic effects of ozone therapy.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cupping therapy (CT) is an ancient medical treatment since antiquity and is used for the treatment of such various disease states as contagious diseases, chronic or acute inflammatory disease, and autoimmune disorders. Ventricular repolarization is represented by QT and corrected-QT (QTc) intervals from surface electrocardiography. OBJECTIVES: As novel repolarization parameters, Tpeak-toTend (Tp-Te) interval, and Tp-Te/QT and Tp-Te/QTc ratios are suggested to correlate better with ventricular arrhythmia risk in various clinical conditions than sole QT and QTc intervals. In this study, we aimed to determine whether these parameters changed significantly after CT in healthy individuals. METHODS: One hundred and twenty participants (57 women and 63 men; mean age: 49.0 ± 13.0 years) participated in this study. ECGs strips were recorded 1 hour before and 1 hour after CT from each participant, and relevant ECG parameters were compared. RESULTS: Tp-Te interval [69.51 ± 11.54 msec vs 63.15 ± 10.89 msec, p = 0.001], Tp-Te/QT ratio [0.191 ± 0.030 vs 0.174 ± 0.031, p = 0.002] and Tp-Te/QTc ratio [0.175 ± 0.030 vs 0.159 ± 0.026, p = 0.001] were found to be significantly decreased 1 hour after the procedure compared with the pre-procedure values. However, no statistically significant change was observed in mean heart rate, QT and QTc intervals, QT/QRS and cQT/QRS, and frontal QRS/T angle after the procedure compared with the same parameters before the procedure (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In accordance with the results of our study, it is plausible to conclude that CT may exert cardioprotective effect. However, larger scale prospective studies are needed to support our findings.
