Objective: To discuss the influence of Tongluo Huazhuo decoction on carotid intima-media thickness (IMT)

serum inflammatory factors and endothelial function in treating diabetes disease. Method: Ninety-six patients with carotid artery IMT of type 2 diabetes were randomly divided into the control group (48 cases) and the observation group (48 cases) by a random number table. Patients in the control group received 20 mg atorvastatin calcium tablets at night once daily. Based on the treatment of the control group

patients in the observation group added 1 dose Tongluo Huazhuo decoction once daily. All patients in two groups received 4 months of treatment. Before and after the treatment

carotid IMT and artery plaque area were detected

and levels of triglyceride (TG)

total cholesterol (TC)

high density lipoprotein-C (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein-C (LDL-C) were also detected. Besides

fasting blood glucose (FBG)

fasting insulin (FINS) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc) were detected and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated

while levels of tumour necrosises factor-α (TNF-α)

high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)

adiponectin (APN)

homocysteine (HCY) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) were detected. Result: The carotid IMT and artery plaques area in two groups declined compared with the data before treatment (P<0.01). The carotid IMT and artery plaques area in the observation group were less than those in the control group (P<0.01). TC level in the observation group was lower

while the HDL-C level was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). FBG

HbA1c

FINS and HOMA-IR of both groups decreased after treatment (P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between two groups. TNF-α

hs-CRP

Hcy and vWF levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). Besides

the APN level was lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Tongluo Huazhuo decoction could reduce the carotid IMT and artery plaques area. Its mechanism may be related to adjusting lipid metabolism

reducing inflammation and improving endothelial function in type 2 diabetes patients.