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In this article, novel molecularly imprinted polymers based on 3D reduced graphene oxide aerogel (3D RGO‐GBMIPs) were successfully fabricated and applied as adsorbents for dispersed solid‐phase extraction (DSPE) of ginkgolide B (GB). After being prepared by surface molecular imprinted technology, 3D RGO‐GBMIPs were successively characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope. The results of adsorption experiments revealed that 3D RGO‐GBMIPs presented highly selective recognition properties and well reusability. The main variables influencing DSPE efficiency, including extraction solvent, 3D RGO‐GBMIPs dosage, category, and volume of eluent, as well as elution time were investigated. The DSPE results showed that 3D RGO‐GBMIPs had an obvious effect on the improvement of GB purity in ginkgo biloba extract, with a satisfactory recovery rate and yield. Therefore, 3D RGO‐GBMIPs are expected to be applied for the enrichment of GB from complex matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Protecting the intestinal mucosa from being destroyed helps reduce the inflammation caused by acute pancreatitis (AP). In this study, whether okra pectin (OP) could attenuate the inflammation of AP through protecting the intestinal barrier was investigated. RESULTS: OP was obtained from crude okra pectin (COP) through the purification by DEAE cellulose 52 column. Supplementation with OP or COP in advance reduced the severity of AP, as revealed by lower serum amylase and lipase levels, abated pancreatic edema, attenuated myeloperoxidase activity and pancreas histology. OP or COP inhibited the production of pancreatic proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐6. In addition, the upregulation of AP‐related proteins including ZO‐1, occludin, the antibacterial peptide‐defensin‐1 (DEFB1) and cathelicidin‐related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP), as well as the histological examination of colon injuries, demonstrated that OP or COP provision could effectively maintain intestinal barrier function. Ultimately, dietary OP or COP supplementation could inhibit AP‐induced intestinal inflammation. For the above, the effect of OP was better than COP. CONCLUSION: Dietary OP supplementation could be considered as a preventive method that effectively interferes with intestinal damage and attenuates inflammatory responses trigged by AP. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sublytic C5b-9 has been described as a pro-inflammatory mediator that triggers cell activation rather than inducing cell death. Dendritic cells (DC) play a critical role in controlling antigen-specific immune responses. Although DC maturation induced by various stimuli has been well characterized, the role of C5b-9 in DC function has not been described. In this report, we use in vitro assembled functional C5b-9 based on purified distal complement protein to show that DC maturation is promoted by sublytic C5b-9. This was demonstrated by up-regulation of CD83, HLA-antigens and costimulatory molecules, including CD80, D86, B7-H1, B7-H3, B7-H4 and BTLA. In addition, secretion of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-12 and tumor necrosis factor-α was increased while the capacity for antigen uptake (FITC-Dextran and Lucifer Yellow) was reduced in C5b-9-treated DC. Mixed lymphocyte reactions indicated that C5b-9-activated DC acted as stimulators that significantly promoted CD4 T cell activation and elicited production of cytokines, including interferon-γ and IL-2. Interestingly, C5b-9-treated DC also orient CD4CD45RA naïve T cells toward Th1 polarization. Our results are the first to report that DC are potential immunoregulatory targets of C5b-9, suggesting that C5b-9 bridges innate and acquired immunity by inducing DC maturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]