RESUMO
Objective To explore the possibility of Lipi Huatan Formula (LHF) in inhibit ing the occurrence of early atherosclerosis and its mechanism. Methods Twent y_four rabbits were randomly allocated to Group A (normal control), Group B (mod el control) and Group C (treated with LHF). Rabbit models with early dietary ath erosclerosis were induced by the feeding of fatty food. The morphological featur es and relative thickness of aortic intima, ki_67 expression of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and the positive ratio of apoptotic VSMCs were observed by mo rphological, immunohistochemical and TUNEL techniques. Results The relative thickness of aortic intima, ki_67 expression of VSMCs and the positive ratio o f apoptotic VSMCs were decreased in Group C as compared with Group B (P