IL6 and steatosis: IL-6 correlated negatively with steatosis grade (r = –0.544, P < 0.01), ballooning (r = –0.432, P < 0.05), acidophil bodies (r = –0.440, P < 0.05), classification of steatohepatitis (r = –0.415, P < 0.05) and fibrosis septa around the central vein (r = –0.580, P < 0.01).