Atheroprotective Effects and Mechanisms of Postmarketing Chinese Patent Formulas in Atherosclerosis Models: A Systematic Review

Table 1

Details of postmarketing Chinese patent formulas in the process of atherosclerosis in vivo.

Author, year	Postmarketing Chinese patent formulas	Experimental models	HFD feeding time	Drug intervention time	Outcome measures	Effects and mechanisms
Zhou et al. 2019 [19]	Danhong injection	HFD male apoE−/− mice	12 weeks	6 weeks	TG↓ HDL-C↑ LDL-C↓; APA↓ AI↓; NEFA↓ FBG↓ FINS↓ IR↓; GLUT-4↑ p-IRS-1↑ p-AKT↑	Attenuating AS and macrophage lipid accumulation by promoting the activation of PI3K/AKT insulin signaling pathway.
Zhai et al. 2019 [20]	Zhixiong capsule	HFD male Japanese rabbits with the silastic collar implantation around the right carotid artery	12 days	12 days	TC↓ HDL-C↑ TC/HDL-C ratio↓ log(TG/HDL-C)↓; IL-4↑; APA↓ IA↓ IA/MA↓	Preventing atherosclerotic plaque formation and intimal thickening.
Ma et al. 2019 [21]	Longshengzhi capsule	HFD female apoE−/− mice	18 weeks	10 weeks	Artery sections: APA↓; MOMA-2↓; NCA↓ CPA↑ FCA↑ SMC↑; TUNEL↓; ABCA1↑ ABCG1↑. Liver sections: lipid droplets↓ liver TG↓; FA oxidation↑ FA synthesis↓ SREBP1↓; SREBP2↓ LDLR↑ HMGCS↓; DGAT1↓ ATGL↑ MTTP↓ APOC2↑; CCR2↓ IL-6↓ MCP-1↓ TNF-α↓; CD68↓ MOMA-2↓. Serum TNF-α↓	Reducing AS by reducing macrophage/foam cell accumulation, maintaining the integrity of arterial wall, ameliorating hepatic lipid metabolism, and inhibiting inflammation.
Ma et al. 2019 [22]	Tongxinluo capsule	HFD male apoE−/− mice	16 weeks	16 weeks	APA↓; CPA↑ SMC↑ staining of lipids and macrophages↓; IL-6↓, MMP-2↓, and TNF-α↓	Inhibiting AS development and stabilizing plaque.
Lu et al. 2019 [23]	Shexiang Baoxin pill	HFD apoE−/− mice	20 weeks	20 weeks	APA↓; SOD↑ CAT↑ GSH↑ MDA↓ H2O2↓ MPO↓; MCP-1↓ IFN-γ↓ IL-17A↓ IL-10↑ TGF-β1↑; VCAM-1↓ ICAM-1↓ IL-6↓ IL-2↓; macrophages↓ ABCA1↑ ABCG1↑; p38↓ JNK↓ Mfn2↑ NF-κB↓ SR-A↓ LOX-1↓ LXRα↑	Exerting antiatherosclerotic effects via improving inflammation response and inhibiting lipid accumulation.
Hao et al. 2019 [24]	Danlou tablet	HFD male apoE−/− mice	20 weeks	12 weeks	APA↓; LO↓; lipid content in artery↓ HDL-C↑ ox-LDL↓; IL-1β↓, IL-10↓, MCP-1↓, IL-18 ↓, IL-33↓; PPARα↑, PGC-1α↑, ABCA1↑, P-IKKα/β↓, P-IκBα↓, and P-NF-κBp65↓	Preventing AS via suppressing NF-κB signaling and triggering the PPARα/ABCA1 signaling pathway.
Chai et al. 2019 [25]	Angong Niuhuang pill	HFD male apoE−/− mice	8 weeks	8 weeks	Aorta: MCP-1↓ MCP-2↓ MCP-3↓ CCR2↓ CXCR3↓; ICAM-1↓ VCAM-1↓; IL-6↓ TGF-β1↑ IL-17↓; Treg cell↑; Th17/Treg cell↓. Spleen: IL-6↓ TGF-β1↑	Ameliorating the development of early AS by reducing splenic and vascular inflammation.
Zhou et al. 2018 [26]	Longxuetongluo capsule	HFD male SD rats	4 weeks	4 weeks	TC↓ HDL-C↑ LDL-C↓ TG↓; serum ALT↓ AST↓ serum MCP-1↓ ICAM-1↓ VCAM-1↓. Histological sections of liver and aorta↓; aortic histological sections: NF-κB↓	Preventing AS and fatty liver by controlling lipid metabolism and anti-inflammation activity.
Yin et al. 2018 [27]	Tongxinluo capsule	HFD male and female New Zealand rabbits with the silicone tube encapsulation of left carotid artery	4 weeks	4 weeks	TC↓ TG↓ LDL-C↓; serum MDA↓, SOD↑, and T-AOC↑; VEGF-A↓ VEGF-R2↓; nuclear NF-κB↓ TNF-α↓ IL-6↓; nuclear Nrf2↑ NQO1↑	Reducing carotid adventitial VV angiogenesis and alleviating early AS lesions by inhibiting carotid inflammation and oxidative stress injury.
Yan et al. 2018 [28]	Longhu Rendan	HFD male apoE−/− mice	10 weeks	10 weeks	TC↓ LDL-C↓ TG↓; APA↓; LOX-1↓	Ameliorating AS via reducing serum lipid and LOX-1 expression.
Wang et al. 2018 [29]	Naoxintong pill	HFD male apoE−/− mice	8 weeks	8 weeks	Plaque foam cell content↓	Reducing foam cell accumulation in atherosclerotic plaques.
Qu et al. 2018 [30]	Di'ao Xinxuekang capsule	HFD male apoE−/− mice	18 weeks	18 weeks	TC↓ HDL-C↑ LDL-C↓ TG↓; APA↓. Liver sections: lipid accumulation↓; PCSK9↓; liver LDLR↑ serum PCSK9↓	Alleviating lipid disorder and ameliorating AS with downregulation of the PCSK9.
Chen et al. 2018 [31]	Tongxinluo capsule	HFD male apoE−/− mice with silastic collar implantation	8 weeks	8 weeks	TUNEL↓ Lc3b dots↑; APA↓; vulnerable index↓ macrophage apoptosis↓	Improving autophagy via Beclin-1.
Yang et al. 2017 [32]	Naoxintong capsule	HFD male apoE−/− mice	18 weeks	8 weeks	APA↓ LO↓; HDL-C↑; CPA↑ SMC↑ MPO↑ CD68↓ calcification events↓ fibrous cap thickness↑. Liver sections: SREBP1↑ and SREBP2↑; ATGL↑ and LDLR↑; liver TG↓; DGAT1↓ CGI-58↑; ATGL↑ pi-AMPKa↑	Inhibiting AS development, stabilizing plaque, and reducing hepatic triglyceride levels.
Shen et al. 2017 [33]	Xuezhikang	Female apoE−/− mice combined partial ligation of the left common carotid artery and left renal artery	0	8 weeks	APA↓; CD68↓ α-SMA↑ CPA↑ vulnerable phenotype↓; p-PERK↓ p-IRE1α↓ p-eIF2α↓ and BiP↓ CHOP↓ DHE staining↓; NCA↓ TUNEL↓ caspase-3↓; TNF-α↓ MMP-8↓ MMP-13↓	Suppressing vulnerable plaque progression and rupture by mitigating lesional endoplasmic reticulum stress and inhibiting apoptosis and the NF-κB proinflammatory pathway.
Peng et al. 2017 [34]	Qishenyiqi pill	HFD male apoE−/− mice	8 weeks	8 weeks	APA↓ LDL-C↓ liver weight/body weight↓. Liver sections: LXRα↑ ABCG5↑. Aorta sections: CD36↓ Foxp3↑ IL-17A↓. Spleen sections: Foxp3↓ IL-17A↓ Smad2/3↓ IL-6↓ RORγ↓	Promoting regulatory T cells in atherosclerotic lesion, inhibiting T helper 17 cells in plaque and spleen, and accelerating liver cholesterol excretion.
Fu et al. 2017 [35]	Angong Niuhuang pill	HFD male SD rats with vitamin D3 injection	17 weeks	9 weeks	APA↓ IT↓ MT↓, the maximum platelet aggregation rates↓; serum TC↓ LDL-C↓ TC/HDL-C↓ LDL-C/HDL-C↓; MDA↓ hs-CRP↓ LDH↓ cTnI↓; myocardial fibers↓; Bax protein↓ Bcl-2↑	Reducing AS due to its antiplatelet aggregation, lipid regulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties.
Dong et al. 2017 [36]	Di’ao Xinxuekang capsule	HFD male apoE−/− mice	8 weeks	8 weeks	TC↓ LDL-C↓; APA↓. Aorta sections: ABCA1↑ and ABCG1↑. Liver and intestines: ABCA1↑ ApoA-I↑ PPARγ↑ LXRα↑. Liver sections: SR-B1↑ preB1-HDL↓ HDL3↓ HDL2↑. Serum LCAT↑	Regulating RCT by improving HDL synthesis, maturation, and catabolism.
Zhu et al. 2016 [37]	Ginkgo biloba tablet	HFD male Wistar rats with vitamin D3 injection and balloon injury in aorta.	60 days	60 days	Blood glucose and calcium↓; TC↓ TG↓ LDL-C↓; LO↓ IT↓; SR-A↓; CRP↓ ICAM-1↓ VCAM-1↓	Alleviating AS lesions by inhibiting inflammation and controlling lipid.
Zheng et al. 2016 [38]	Longxuetongluo capsule	HFD male apoE−/− mice	6 weeks	6 weeks	APA↓	Reducing plaques.
Yang et al. 2016 [39]	Naoxintong capsule	HFD male apoE−/− mice	18 weeks	8 weeks	APA↓ CPA↑ SMC↑ calcification events↓ fibrous cap thickness↑ MOMA-2 protein↓ MMP-2↓ and TNF-α↓ SM22α↑	Reducing advanced AS and enhancing the plaque stability.
Miao et al. 2016 [40]	Danlou tablet/Xuefu Zhuyu granule	HFD male Wistar rats with vitamin D3 injection	4 weeks	8 weeks	Danlou group: IT↓ TC↓ TG↓ LDL-C↓ PDGF↓ ERK1/2↓ pERK1/2↓. Xuefu Zhuyu group: IT↓ TC↓ PDGF↓ ERK1/2↓ pERK1/2↓	Reducing serum lipids, increasing PDGF, and inhibiting ERK signal pathway activation and VSMC proliferation.
Ma et al. 2016 [41]	Tongxinluo capsule	HFD male apoE−/− mice	5 weeks	5 weeks	VEGF-A↓ ANGPT-1↑; microvessels sprouting↓ VV number in plaques↓; APA↓; CPA↑ SMC↑ MOMA-2↓ FCT↑	Inhibiting early AS through regulating angiogenic factor expression and inhibiting VV proliferation in atherosclerotic plaque.
Chen et al. 2016 [42]	Danlou tablet	HFD male Wistar rats with vitamin D3 injection	4 weeks	8 weeks	TC↓ TG↓ LDL-C↓; APA↓; IL-6↓ TNF-α↓ MCP-1↓ ox-LDL↓; LP-PLA2↓ sPLA2↓	Inhibiting AS related to the reduction of blood lipid and inflammation.
Xiong et al. 2015 [43]	Shexiang Tongxin dropping pill	HFD male apoE−/− mice	8 weeks	8 weeks	IL-2↓ IL-6↓ TNF-α↓ INF-γ↓ ox-LDL↓ MDA↓; GSH↑ SOD↑; ROS↓; miR-21↓ miR-126↓ miR-155↓ miR-20↑	Inhibiting AS via reducing inflammation and regulating miR-21, miR-126, miR-155, and miR-20.
Xiong et al. 2015 [44]	Shexiang Tongxin dropping pill	HFD male apoE−/− mice	8 weeks	8 weeks	APA↓; TC↓ TG↓ LDL↓ ox-LDL↓ HDL↑; IL-2↓ IL-6↓ TNF-α↓ INF-γ↓ ox-LDL↓ MDA↓; GSH↑ SOD↑ ROS↓; miR-21↓ miR-126↓ miR-155↓ miR-132↓ miR-20↑	Inhibiting AS via reducing inflammation and regulating miR-21, miR-126, miR-155, miR-132, and miR-20.
Wu et al. 2015 [45]	Tongxinluo capsule	HFD male apoE−/− mice	12 weeks	12 weeks	APA↓; p22↓ p47↓ HO-1↓; NF-κB↓; TC↓ TG↓ LDL↓	Decreasing atherosclerotic plaque formation and inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation.
Lang et al. 2015 [46]	Tongxinluo capsule	HFD New Zealand rabbits with the silastic collar implantation around the right carotid artery	4 weeks	4 weeks	IT↓; CD34↓; microvascular blood flow volume↓; VAGF↓ VEGFR-2↓	Inhibiting VV proliferation.
Kang et al. 2015 [47]	Compound Chuanxiong capsule	HFD male apoE−/− mice	13 weeks	7 weeks	TC↓ TG↓ LDL-C↓; AI↓ APA↓; CPA↑; PI3K↓ Akt↓ NF-κB↓ IL-6↓ TNF-α↓	Preventing AS and inhibiting the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α by regulating the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Cheng et al. 2015 [48]	Yindanxinnaotong soft capsule	HFD male SD rats with vitamin D3 injection	9 weeks	12 weeks	APA↓ TC↓ TG↓ LDL-C↓; MDA↓ SOD↑ GSH↑ GSH-px↑; NF-κB↓ IkB↑; IL-1β↓ CRP↓ TNF-α↓; NO↑ TXB2↓	Relieving AS through regulating lipids, reducing lipid particle deposition in the endothelial layer of artery, enhancing antioxidant power, and repressing inflammation activity by inhibiting the NF-κB signal pathway.
Zhang et al. 2014 [49]	Tongxinluo capsule	Male C57BL/6 mice with the left common carotid artery ligation	0	21 days	IA/MA ratio↓ IA↓; TNF-α↓ IL-1β↓; miR-155↓	Inhibiting the vascular inflammatory response and neointimal hyperplasia.
Zhang et al. 2014 [50]	Suxiaojiuxin pill	HFD male apoE−/− mice	13 weeks	8 weeks	TG↓ APA↓; CPA↑ FCT↑; VEGF↓ α-SMA↑; MMP-2↓ MMP-9↓ TIMP-1↑ TIMP-2↑	Enhancing atherosclerotic plaque stability associated with modulating the MMPs/TIMPs balance.
Yao et al. 2014 [51]	Tongxinluo capsule	Male SD rats with the left carotid artery balloon injury	0	2 weeks	Serum ET-1↓ MCP-1↓ sICAM-1↓ NO↑; artery: ICAM-1↓ MCP-1↓; the neointimal thickening↓	Improving endothelial function, attenuating neointimal formation, and reducing inflammation.
Wang et al. 2014 [52]	Tongxinluo capsule	HFD male apoE−/− mice	12 weeks	12 weeks	TC↓ HDL↑ TG↓ LDL↓; CRP↓; APA↓; ICAM-1↓ VCAM-1↓ MCP-1↓	Preventing atherosclerotic plaque formation and intimal thickening. Reducing inflammation.
Liu et al. 2014 [53]	Danhong injection	HFD male apoE−/− mice	16 weeks	16 weeks	MCP-1↓ MMP-2↓ MMP-9↓; AAA formation↓; CPA↑	Inhibiting the high-fat diet-induced AAA formation related to the maintenance of the collagen content and the inhibition of expression of AAA-related genes.
Guo et al. 2014 [54]	Suxiaojiuxin pill	HFD male SD rats with vitamin D3	12 weeks	12 weeks	TG↓ LDL↓ TC↓ HDL↑	Reducing lipids.
Chen et al. 2014 [55]	Danhong injection	HFD male or female apoE−/− or LDLR−/− mice	16 weeks/20 weeks	16 weeks/20 weeks	Male apoE−/−: ABCA1↑ TNF-α↓; female apoE−/−: APA↓ LDL-C↓ HMGCR↓ LDLR↑ TNF-α↓; male LDLR−/−: ABCA1↑ TNF-α↓; female LDLR−/−: ABCA1↑ APA↓ HMGCR↓ TNF-α↓	Inhibiting AS through amelioration of lipid profiles.
Zhu et al. 2013 [56]	Xuezhikang	HFD male Wistar rats with vitamin D3 injection	12 weeks	12 weeks	TG↓ LDL-C↓; aorta caveolin-1↓; MDA↓ SOD↑ T-AOC↑; eNOS↑, plasma NOx↑, cGMP in erythrocyte plasma and aorta wall↑; EDI↓ blood viscosity↓	Elevating eNOS/NO, improving hemorheology, and inhibiting oxidative stress.
Zhong et al. 2013 [57]	Naoxintong capsule	HFD New Zealand rabbits	12 weeks	12 weeks	LDL-C↓ TC↓; aorta: iNOS mRNA↓ NO↓	Reducing iNOS expression in AS lesions
Zhao et al. 2013 [58]	Naoxintong capsule	HFD male LDLR−/− mice	8 weeks	8 weeks	TC↓ TG↓; APA↓; CD68↓; DCs↓ CD40↓ CD86↓ CD80↓ plasma IL-12p70↓	Protecting against AS through lipid lowering and inhibiting DCs maturation.
Li et al. 2011 [59]	Xuezhikang	HFD male Wistar rats with vitamin D3 injection	12 weeks	12 weeks	LDL-C↓ TC↓; APTT↑ PT↑ TT↑ fibrinogen↓ tissue factor↓ SOD↑ MDA↓	Inhibiting the tissue factor expression and reducing oxidative stress.
Han et al. 2011 [60]	Dahuang Zhechong pill	HFD male New Zealand rabbits with balloon injury in aorta.	60 days	60 days	Serum: MDA↓SOD↑ NO↑. Aorta: MPO↓. VSMCs: PCNA↓ Bcl-2↓	Inhibiting AS through antilipid peroxidation, protection of vascular endothelium, inhibition of VSMCs proliferation, and promotion of VSMCs apoptosis
Li et al. 2011 [61]	Suxiaojiuxin pill	HFD male SD rats with vitamin D3 injection	12 weeks	12 weeks	Serum: MDA↓ SOD↑ ox-LDL↓; PPAR γ↓; NF-κB↓	Anti-inflammation and inhibition of oxidative stress.
Song et al. 2010 [62]	Tongxinluo capsule	HFD male Japanese rabbits	14 weeks	14 weeks	TC↓ LDL↓; PAI-1↓ VCAM-1↓	Inhibiting AS related to the reduction of blood lipid and inflammation.
Fu et al. 2009 [63]	Danhong injection	HFD male New Zealand rabbits	14 weeks	14 weeks	TC↓ TG↓ LDL-C↓; MDA↓ iNOS↓ COX-2↓; APA↓	Inhibiting AS related to the reduction of blood lipid, the inhibition of arterial wall inflammation, and the regulation of oxidative stress level.
Cao et al. 2009 [64]	Tongxinluo capsule	HFD male Japanese rabbits	14 weeks	14 weeks	APA↓; MMP-3↓ MMP-9↓ PPARγ↑	Inhibiting the expression of MMP-3 and MMP-9 and increasing the expression of PPARγ.
Yu et al. 2006 [65]	Tongxinluo capsule	HFD male New Zealand rabbits	16 weeks	16 weeks	APA↓; TC↓ LDL↓; macrophage↓; LOX-1↓	Inhibiting AS related to the reduction of blood lipid and LOX-1.
Xie et al. 2006 [66]	Xuezhikang	HFD Japanese rabbits	12 weeks	12 weeks	APA↓; TC↓ HDL-C↑ TG↓ LDL-C↓; serum NO↑ CRP↓	Inhibiting AS related to the reduction of blood lipid and inflammation.
Li et al. 2006 [67]	Tongxinluo capsule	HFD male Japanese rabbits with balloon injury	16 weeks	16 weeks	ET↓ NO↑; IT↓; CPA↑; MMP-1↓, COX-2↓; Bcl-2↑; FasL↓; macrophage↓	Reducing endothelial injury and intima thickness, inhibiting apoptosis, and stabilizing plaques.
Tian et al. 2004 [68]	Fufang Danshen dropping pill	HFD male New Zealand rabbits	12 weeks	12 weeks	TC↓ HDL-C↑ TG↓ LDL-C↓; IT↓	Reducing the blood lipid.
Chen et al. 2004 [69]	Fufang Danshen dropping pill	HFD male New Zealand rabbits	12 weeks	12 weeks	LO↓ APA↓; VCAM-1↓	Inhibiting VCAM-1 expression.
Guan et al. 2015 [70]	Tongxinluo capsule	Male Wistar rats with the silicone collar around the left carotid artery	0	4 weeks	pERK1/2↑ nNOS↑; LO↓	Improving the blood flow and attenuating the chronic vasoconstriction through the activation of ERK1/2 signaling.
Chen et al. 2009 [71]	Tongxinluo capsule	HFD New Zealand rabbits with balloon-induced abdominal aortic endothelial injury, undergoing plaques triggering by Chinese Russell viper venom	20 weeks	12 weeks	Serum TC↓ LDL-C↓ TG↓; MCP-1↓ hs-CRP↓ IL-8↓ IL-18↓ MMP-1↓ P-selectin↓; ultrasonography measurements: IMT↓; corrected AII ↑ APA↓ EEMA↓; MCP-1↓ MMP-1↓ MMP-3↓ MMP-12↓ P-selectin↓; vulnerability index↓ α-SMCs↑ CPA↓ lipid↓ RAM-11↓	Enhancing the stability of vulnerable plaques via effects on lipid lowering and anti-inflammation.
Zhang et al. 2009 [72]	Tongxinluo capsule	HFD New Zealand rabbits with balloon-induced abdominal aortic endothelial injury, undergoing an adenovirus-containing p53 and plaques triggering by Chinese Russell viper venom	10 weeks	8 weeks	Serum TC↓ LDL↓ TG↓ HDL↑; MCP-1↓ hs-CRP↓ sICAM-1↓ ox-LDL↓; ultrasonography measurements: corrected AII ↑ APA↓ EEMA↓; MCP-1↓ MMP-1↓ MMP-3↓ MMP-12↓ P-selectin↓; vulnerability index↓ α-SMCs↑ CPA↓ lipids↓ macrophages↓ fibrous cap thickness↓; LOX-1↓ MMP-1↓ MMP-3↓ TIMP-1↓ NF-κB↓	Enhancing the stability of plaque and preventing plaque rupture via lipid lowering, anti-inflammation, and anti-oxidation.
Liu et al. 2019 [73]	Shexiang Baoxin pill	HFD LDLR−/− mice	14 weeks	14 weeks	α-SMA↓ SM22α↓ OPN↓	Reversing the dedifferentiation of VSMCs.
Meng et al. 2019 [74]	Xuezhitong capsule	HFD male apoE−/− mice	34 weeks	34 weeks	Serum TC↓ LDL↓ TG↓ HDL↑; APA↓; plasma FFA↓ ox-LDL↓ LCAT↑ ApoB↓; liver ox-LDL↓ FAS↓ LDLR↑ ABCA1↑ SR-B1↑ LCAT↑ ApoA1↑	Activating RCT and increasing HDL levels.
Gao et al. 2020 [75]	Danlou tablet	HFD male apoE−/− mice	10 weeks	10 weeks	APA↓; serum IL-8↓ MMP-1↓ MMP-2↓	Protecting against AS by reducing inflammation.
Lu et al. 2020 [76]	Guanxinshutong capsule	HFD male apoE−/− mice	10 weeks	10 weeks	Serum TC↓ LDL-C↓ TG↓ HDL-C↑; APA↓; CPA↑; CD68↓; serum TNF-α↓ IL-6↓ SOD↑ GSH↑ MDA↓; aortic sinus TNF-α↓ IL-6↓ NF-κB↓ HO-1↑ Nrf2↑	Attenuating AS by reducing lipid deposition, modulating oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses
Sun et al. 2020 [77]	Danlou tablet	HFD male apoE−/− mice	32 weeks	8 weeks	Serum TC↓ TG↓ LDL-C↓; APA↓; aorta mRNA TNF-α↓ IL-1β↓ ICAM-1↓	Inhibiting AS through lipid lowering and modulating inflammation
Zhai et al. 2020 [78]	Zhixiong capsule	HFD male SD mice + vitamin D3	18 weeks	6 weeks	APA↓ IA/MA ratio↓ CPA↑ mineralization↓; serum TC↓ LDL↓ HDL↑; thoracic arteries IL-4↑ IL-13↑ MAPK1↓ MAPK14↓ p53↑	Inhibiting AS plaque progression related to the reduction of blood lipid, macrophage content, and macrophage transformation.

AAA, abdominal aortic aneurysms; ABCA1, ATP binding cassette transporter A1; ABCG1, ATP binding cassette transporter G1; ACAT, acyl coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase; ANGPT-1, angiopoietin-1; APOA1, apolipoprotein A I; APOB, apolipoprotein B; AS, atherosclerosis; APA, atherosclerotic plaque area; AI, atherosclerosis index values; AII, acoustic intensities; Akt, serine/threonine kinase; AMPK, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase; CHOP, CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein; CPA, collagen-positive area; DC, dendritic cell; EDI, erythrocyte deformation index; EEMA, external elastic membrane area; FAS, fatty acid synthase; FBG, fasting blood glucose; FCA, fibrous cap area; FCT, fibrous cap thickness; FFA, free fatty acid; FINS, fasting insulin; GLUT-4, glucose transporter-4; GSH-PX, glutathione peroxidase; GSH, glutathione; HHcy, hyper-homocysteinemia; HMGCR, HMG-CoA reductase; HMGCS, HMG-CoA synthase; HO-1, heme oxygenase-1; hs-CRP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; ICAM-1, intercellular adhesion molecules-1; IL-6, interleukin-6; IR: insulin resistance; IA, intimal area; IT, intima thickness; IMT, intima-media thickness; LA, luminal area; LCAT, lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; LOX-1, lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1; LO, luminal occlusion; LP-PLA2, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2; LXRα, liver X receptor α; MA, medial area; MDA, malondialdehyde; NADPH, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate; NQO1, NADPH quinone oxidoreductase-1; NCA, necrotic core area; NEFA, nonesterified fatty acid; NF-κB, nuclear factor-kappa B; Nrf2, nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2; OPN, osteopontin; ox-LDL, oxidized low-density lipoprotein; PAI-1, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1; PI3K, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases; PPARγ, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ; RCT, reverse cholesterol transport; SD, Sprague–Dawley; α-SMA, alpha smooth muscle actin; SM22α, smooth muscle 22 alpha; SR-B1, scavenger receptor class B type 1; SR-A1, scavenger receptor class A type 1; SOD, superoxide dismutase; sPLA2, secretory phospholipase A2; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α; VV, vasa vasorum; VEGF-A, vascular endothelial growth factor-A; VCAM-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1; VSMCs, vascular smooth muscle cells; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.