Objective: To establish atherosclerosis rabbit models

study the effect of Danlou tablet on atherosclerosis and the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) related genes immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein (BIP)

and provide experimental basis for clinical application of Danlou tablet. Method: The 24 male big-eared Japanese rabbits were randomly divided into normal group

model group

Rosuvastatin group

Danlou tablet+Rosuvastatin group

with 6 rabbits in each group. Normal group was fed with standard diet

while in model group

2% cholesterol and 0.02% methionine were added in standard diet.In Rosuvastatin group and Danlou tablet+Rosuvastatin group

2% cholesterol

0.02% methionine and the corresponding control drug were added in the standard diet to establish atherosclerosis rabbit models. Before medication and after 9 weeks of treatment

cholesterol (TC)

triglyceride (TG)

low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)

high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)

apolipoprotein A (ApoA) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) values were detected. After 9 weeks of treatment

thoracic aorta segment was taken from the experiment animals to observe morphological changes by HE. In situ hybridization was used to detect BIP gene expression. Result: Compared with the normal group

TC

TG

LDL-C and ApoB levels in model group were significantly higher

while HDL-C and ApoA levels were significantly lower (P<0.05). Compared with the model group

TC

TG

LDL-C and ApoB levels in Rosuvastatin group and Danlou tablet+Rosuvastatin group were significantly lower

while HDL-C and ApoA levels were significantly higher (P<0.01). HE staining showed normal endangium morphology in normal group

severe hyperplasia of endometrium and endothelial cell damages in model group

mild hyperplasia of endometrium in Rosuvastatin group

and close to normal endangium morphology in Danlou tablet+Rosuvastatin group. In situ hybridization results showed that BIP protein expression was significantly increased in model group

and Rosuvastatin group and Danlou tablet+Rosuvastatin group could down-regulate BIP protein expressions. Conclusion: Danlou tablet combined with Rosuvastatin can delay the development of atherosclerosis and have significant therapeutic effect.