The Effects Of Huomaiyin On Serum Lipid And Endothelial Function Of Experimental Atherosclerotic Rabbits

BackgroundAtherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic and complex pathological process. It is well known that hypercholesterolemia, especially the increased level of low -density lipoprotein cholesterol, is one of the crucial risk factors of AS. Recently , it is considered that endothelium play a role of value in the pathogenesis of AS. Endothelial dysfunction is thought to be the initial event of atherosclerosis. Therefore, trying to decrease the level of serum cholesterol and improve endothelial function is very important for anti - atherosclerosis. Huomaiyin is a compound Chinese herb. Our previous study has found that Huomaiyin showed a series of functions after angioplasty in rabbits, including antiplatelet and antico-agulation. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Huomaiyin on the level of serum lipid, NO and ET in the experimental atherosclerotic rabbits in order to discovery whether Huomaiyin can improve serum lipid disorder and endothelial function, and furthermore contributes to inhibition of atherosclerosis.Materials and MethodsForty Japanese male white rabbits were divided into five groups at random. Normal control group: fed by normal diet; Simvastatin group: fed by high cholesterol diet and simvastatin 5mg/d; High dose Huomaiyin group: fed by high cholesterol diet and Huomaiyin 12g/kg/d; Low dose Huomaiyin group: fed by high cholesterol diet and Huomaiyin 6g/kg/d; High cholesterol group: fed by...