Objective:To observe the clinical effect and mechanism of Yiqi Ziyin Huoxue Tongluo prescription (referred to as Chinese medicine compound) in treating atherosclerosis. Method:One hundred and fifty patients which meet the diagnosis standard were randomly divided into atorvastatin group (30 cases)

Chinese medicine compound low (40 cases)

middle (40 cases) and high dose groups (40 cases). After treating for 0

4

8 weeks

the changes of intima media thickness (IMT)

interleukin-6(IL-6)

tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)

and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) were compared among the groups. Result:Compared to atorvastatin group

IMT

IL-6

TNF-α

MMP-9 in Chinese medicine compound low dose group were significantly increased (P<0.05)

however

there was no significant difference in Chinese medicine compound middle and high dose groups;IMT

IL-6

TNF-α

MMP-9 showed no significant difference within Chinese medicine compound low dose group

but showed significant difference within Chinese medicine compound middle and high dose groups (P<0.05). Conclusion:Chinese medicine compound can prevent and treat atherosclerosis

whose mechanism may be related to anti-inflammatory

and its dose-effect relationship and time-effect relationship are positively correlated respectively.