OBJECTIVE: To study the antiatherosclerotic effect of Jiawei zexie tang(GWZXT) and the possible mechanisms.METHODS: 48 healthy male SD rats were randomized to 5 groups,i.e normal control,model group,simvastatin group,and high dosage and low dosage GWZXT groups.Artherosclerosis rat model was established by feeding high fat forage and the corresponding drugs were administered intragastrically.Changes in serum levels of APoAⅠ,ApoB,Zn,Cu,Ca and Mg and the ultrastructure were detected.RESULTS: In high dosage GWZXT-treated group compared with model group,the Zn,Ca and ApoB levels decreased significantly(P