Value of dual energy computed tomography with material decomposition algorithm in assessing intestinal creeping fat in Crohn’s disease

Figure 1 Dual-energy computed tomography imaging of intestinal creeping fat. Dual-energy computed tomography clearly demonstrates intestinal creeping fat, with all images exhibiting excellent quality. Intestinal creeping fat volume significantly increases during the active phase of Crohn’s disease, markedly decreases during the quiescent phase, but remains above normal levels. CD: Crohn’s disease.

Figure 2 Relationship between intestinal creeping fat and endoscopic scoring in Crohn’s disease. CD: Crohn’s disease; CrF: Creeping fat.

Figure 3 Correlation between intestinal creeping fat and histopathology. A: Relationship between intestinal creeping fat (CrF) and intestinal inflammation in Crohn’s disease (CD); B: Relationship between intestinal CrF and intestinal fibrosis in CD; C: Intestinal CrF significantly positively correlates with intestinal cell apoptosis in CD. CD: Crohn’s disease; CrF: Creeping fat.

Figure 4 Immunohistochemical staining for intestinal tumor necrosis factor-α and transforming growth factor-β. TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor-α; TGF-β: Transforming growth factor-β; CD: Crohn’s disease.

Figure 5 Correlation between intestinal creeping fat and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 and occludin expression. Immunohistochemical staining for intestinal peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2/occludin was performed to assess their expression. PPARγ2: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2; CD: Crohn’s disease.

Figure 6 Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 and occludin mRNA expression in intestinal tissues. A: Representative amplification and melting curves for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 and occludin; B: Ct values were normalized to β actin, and relative expression levels are shown for healthy controls, active Crohn’s disease, and quiescent Crohn’s disease. PPARγ2: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2; CD: Crohn’s disease.