Objective: To investigate the effects of dihydromyricetin of Ampelopsis grossedentata on inflammatory factors and secretory phospholipase A2 of group ⅡA (sPLA2-ⅡA) mRNA expression of aortic arch in atherosclerosis rats. Method: Sixty rats were randomly divided into the control group

the model group

the simvastatin group (5 mg · kg-1 ·d-1) and the high-

low-dose dihydromyricetin groups (40

10 mg · kg-1 ·d-1). The atherosclerosis model was induced by feeding a high fat diet and injecting vitamin D3 except rats in the control group. After 24 weeks

the serum C-reactive protein (CRP)

tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α)

interleukin-1 (IL-1) and sPLA2-ⅡA mRNA expression of the aortic arch were observed. Result: Compared with the normal group

the thickened blood vessel wall

rough endothelial and marked hyperplasia of the smooth muscle fiber were found in the model group. Besides

levels of serum CRP

TNF-α

IL-1 and sPLA2-ⅡA mRNA expression were remarkably increased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group

the area of vascular lesions and the thickened blood vessel wall were slightly improved in the low-dose dihydromyricetin group. Moreover

the local rough endothelial

smooth endomembrane and mild hyperplasia of the smooth muscle fiber were found in the high-dose dihydromyricetin group. The serum levels of CRP and IL-1 decreased significantly in the high-dose dihydromyricetin group

sPLA2-ⅡA mRNA expression was inhibited in the high-and low-dose dihydromyricetin group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Dihydromyricetin has good therapeutic effect on atherosclerosis rats. Its mechanism may be related to reducing inflammatory factors level and inhibiting sPLA2-ⅡA mRNA expression of aortic arch.