Figure 1. Hematoxylin-eosin staining of hepatic tissues in each group of rats.

With the consumption of high-fat diet, hepatocellular steatosis, ballooning degeneration, lobular inflammation, spotty focal necrosis were gradually shown in the hepatic lobule, especially in zone 3 of acinus. At the end of 8^th week, simple steatosis appeared with no inflammatory cell infiltration. At the end of 16^th week, steatohepatitis established with inflammatory cell infiltration and spotty focal necrosis (B). At the end of 24^th week, numerous polymorphs and mononuclear cells infiltration and portal inflammation were frequently observed (C). These changes were improved in the liver of simvastatin-treated rats (D). A: Control ×200; B: 16^th week ×200; C: 24^th week ×200; D: Simvastatin-treated group ×200.