OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of compound red yeast rice extract (CRYRE) on blood lipids, hemorheology and blood coagulant system in rats with hyperlipidemia.

METHODSD rats were randomly divided into six groups: normal control group, model group, Xuezhikang group (0. 24 g x kg(-1)), CRYRE high dose group (2.4 g x kg(-1)), middle dose group (1.2 g x kg(-1)) and low dose group (0.6 g x kg(-1)). The normal control rats were given pure water, and rats of other five groups were given 10 mL kg lipid emulsion and subjected to daily intragastric administration simultaneously in two days, continuously for 3 weeks. After the last medication, all the rats were sacrificed for measurement of blood lipids, hemorheology and coagulation factors.

RESULTCRYRE 2.4 g x kg(-1) could significantly reduce the serum TG, TC levels and increase the HDL-C level (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). CRYRE 0.6-2.4 g x kg(-1) could significantly increase the ratios of HDL-C/TG,HDL-C/TC and HDL-C/LDL-C (P < 0.01). CRYRE 2.4 g x kg(-1) also reduced whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), prolonged active partial thromboplastin time, and lowered fibrinogen content (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCRYRE 2.4 g x kg(-1) could reduce blood lipids, blood viscosity and fibrinogen content, improve blood circulation, and depress the alteration of blood coagulant system resulted from lipid metabolic disorder in rats with hyperlipidemia.