['Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and transdifferentiation to myofibroblasts following liver injury is the main culprit for hepatic fibrosis. Myofibroblasts show increased proliferation, migration, contraction, and production of extracellular matrix (ECM). In vitro, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of myofibroblastic HSC. To investigate the antifibrotic effects of atorvastatin in vivo we used bile duct ligated rats (BDL).', 'BDL rats were treated with atorvastatin (15 mg/kg/d) immediately after ligation (prophylactically) or in on-going fibrosis (therapeutically). Fibrosis was assessed by hydroxyproline content and Sirius-red staining. The activation of HSC was investigated by analysis of alphaSMA expression. mRNA levels of cytokines and procollagen were analyzed by RT-PCR, and MMP-2 activity by zymography. Proliferation was assessed by expression of cathepsins (B and D), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and Ki67-staining. Apoptosis was characterized by caspase-3 activity, cleavage of PARP-1, and TUNEL assay. Hepatic inflammation was investigated by serum parameters and liver histology.', 'Prophylactic and early therapy with atorvastatin significantly attenuated fibrosis and HSC activation. Later therapy lacked significant effects on fibrosis but reduced profibrotic cytokine expression and led to a more quiescent state of HSC with less proliferation and apoptosis, while hepatic inflammation did not change.'] Does atorvastatin attenuate hepatic fibrosis in rats after bile duct ligation via decreased turnover of hepatic stellate cells?