Fig. 1 Representative samples from one rabbit in each group. Left ventricular sections stained with A) H & E (orig. ×400) and B) Van Gieson stain (orig. ×400) show the effects of simvastatin on left ventricular fibrosis and hypertrophy in comparisons of the control group (first column), the heart-failure (HF) group (2nd column), and the heart failure-with-simvastatin therapy (HF-SIM) group (3rd column). The sections from the HF group show cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, myocyte disarray, and increased interstitial fibrosis; in contrast, sections from the HF-SIM group display only mild changes. C) Collagen volume fraction was decreased in the HF-SIM group in comparison with the HF group.

*P <0.01 in comparison with the control group

**P <0.05 in comparison with the HF group