Abstract: OBJECTIVE:To combine calorie-restriction therapy(CRT) with Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) using Lingguizhugan Decoction and note the effects on expression of inflammatory cytokines[tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),interleukin(IL)-6]in high-fat-diet induced hyperlipidemia in rats.METHODS:Forty rats were divided randomly and equally into four groups:control group A(regular feeding for 5 weeks);model group B(high-fat diet for 5 weeks),calorie-limited group C(high-fat diet for 5 weeks) and TCM calorie-limit group D(high-fat diet for 5 weeks).After modeling,groups C and D were fasted for 3 days:group C with simple fasting,and group D with TCM fasting.The motion as well as changes in color,body weight,food intake,plasma lipids[low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C),high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol,total cholesterol(TC) and triglyceride(TG) along with TNF-α,hs-CRP and IL-6]were measured before and after intervention.RESULTS:Modeled rats were established after five weeks.After 3 days of fasting,compared with group B,blood lipid levels(TG,TC,LDL-C) of groups C and D decreased dramatically.Those of group D decreased more obviously than those of group C.However,the values of TNF-α,hs-CRP and IL-6 showed no obvious difference between each of the three treatment groups.CONCLUSION:CRT can reduce fasting blood lipid levels in rats,but not by reducing the levels of inflammatory cytokines.

Key words: Hyperlipidemias, Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, Interleukin-6, Lingguizhugan decoction, Calorie-restriction therapy