Genet Mol Res
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Carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) has been extensively studied because its position can be easily observed. Our objective was to investigate the effects of Xuemaitong granules on the generation and activation of CD14+CD16+ monocytes on the inflammatory reaction in CAS patients. In this study, 22 male apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mice were fed a high-fat diet for 13 weeks. ⋯ Compared with before treatment levels, the proportions of monocytes and their subsets of CD14+CD16+ inflammatory monocytes and the concentration of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-a, and hsCRP significantly decreased. Xuemaitong granules played a significant role in the anti-inflammatory reactions. In addition, the granules attenuated the expression of the CD14+CD16+ inflammatory monocytes, resulting in the downregulation of the cytokines IL-6, TNF-a, and hsCRP.