The present invention relates to the use of receptors of the Rev-erb family to screen substances which are useful in the treatment of lipid metabolism dysfunctions associated with apolipoprotein C-III. The invention relates more particularly to screening methods for selecting substances which are useful for the treatment of these dysfunctions. Lastly, the invention relates to the use of the substances thus identified for the preparation of therapeutic compositions which are useful for the treatment of lipid metabolism dysfunctions associated with apolipoprotein C-III. The subject of the present invention is also the use of screening tests for the characterization, justification and claim of the mechanism of action of substances possessing anti-atherosclerotic properties using the Rev-erb receptors and/or the response elements thereof, as well as their effect on apo C-III.