It has been shown by previous study that hyperlipidemia promotes the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (4) indicating that hyperlipidemia promotes an inflammatory response consequently enhancing the development of atherosclerosis. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is atherosclerosis.