Objective   To seek the common mechanisms of antiatherosclerotic effects of vitamin E, amlodipine and simvastatin.

  Methods   New Zealand White rabbits were fed regular chow, chow with 1% cholesterol and 2% pig oil, 1% cholesterol and 2% pig oil diet plused lovastatin, 1% cholesterol and 2% pig oildiet plused vitamin E or 1% cholesterol and 2% pig oil diet plused amlodipine for 24 weeks.The extent of aortic atherosclerosis, serum malondlialdehyde(MDA)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)in blood was measured respectively.

  Results   Compared with modelgroup, the groups given vitamin E, amlodipine or simvastatin with a high cholesterol diet had significantly less atherosclerosis(P < 0.01).The serum MDA levels were lower in the groups given vitanlin E, amlodipine or simvastatin dlan model group(P < 0.01).Blood SOD activity was higher in the groups given vitamin E, amlodipine or simvastatin than that of model group(P < 0.01).Compared with model group, the levels of TC, LDL-C, TG in simvastatin group decreased markedly(P < 0.01).

  Conclusion   A reduction in lipid peroxidation and preservation of SOD may be common mechanisms of antiatherosclerotic effects of vitamin E, amlodipine and simvastatin.