Rosuvastatin limits the activation of hepatic stellate cells in diet‐induced obese mice

Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rosuvastatin in a model of diet‐induced obesity and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease, with attention to the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Method Male C57BL/6 mice received a control diet (C; 10% energy as lipids) or a high‐fat diet (HF; 50% energy as lipids) for 12 weeks, followed by 7 weeks of treatment. Group CR received control diet + rosuvastatin; group HFR received high‐fat diet + rosuvastatin. Results The HF group showed higher insulin, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and leptin levels than the C group, all of which were significantly diminished by rosuvastatin in the HFR group. The HF group had greater steatosis and activated HSCs than the C group, whereas rosuvastatin diminished the steatosis (less 21%, P