Figure 4. Representative graphs and bar charts of hepatic mRNA and protein expressions of iNOS, eNOS, and Collagen І in each group of rats.

The hepatic protein expression of iNOS and eNOS were detected in the control group of rats, with little collagen I expression (A). With the consumption of high-fat diet, the iNOS and collagen I expressions were gradually increased (B, C, F, G), while eNOS expression was gradually decreased (D, E). Compared with rats in the 24^th week group, simvastatin treatment could up-regulate eNOS expression (A, D, E) and down-regulate iNOS expression (B, C), followed by improved hepatic fibrosis, which represented by decreased collagen I expression (F, G). (^# P<0.05, compared with the control group; * P<0.05, compared with 24^th week group.).