Neuronal apoptosis mediated by the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway is an important pathological process in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. 14,15-EET, an intermediate metabolite of arachidonic acid, can promote cell survival during ischemia/reperfusion. However, whether the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway is involved this survival mechanism is not fully understood. In this study, we observed that infarct size in ischemia-reperfusion injury was reduced in sEH gene knockout mice. In addition, Caspase 3 activation, cytochrome C release and AIF nuclear translocation were also inhibited. In this study, 14,15-EET pretreatment reduced neuronal apoptosis in the oxygen-glucose deprivation and re-oxygenation group in vitro. The mitochondrial apoptosis pathway was also inhibited, as evidenced by AIF translocation from the mitochondria to nucleus and the reduction in the expressions of cleaved-caspase 3 and cytochrome C in the cytoplasm. 14,15-EET could reduce neuronal apoptosis through upregulation of the ratio of Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic protein) to Bax (apoptosis protein) and inhibition of Bax aggregation onto mitochondria. PI3K/AKT pathway is also probably involved in the reduction of neuronal apoptosis by EET. Our study suggests that 14,15-EET could suppress neuronal apoptosis and reduce infarct volume through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Furthermore, the PI3K/AKT pathway also appears to be involved in the neuroprotection against ischemia-reperfusion by 14,15-EET.

An acyl lactonization of alkenes with aldehydes under visible-light photoredox catalysis is described. With the protocol, a broad scope of alkenoic acids and aldehydes could be compatible and good functional group tolerance is obtained. A series of acyl lactones are obtained with isolated yields ranging from 50−95%. Mechanistic studies revealed that the transformation should proceed via a radical chain process.

A photocatalytic acyl lactonization of unsaturated carboxylic acids using simple and inexpensive acyl chlorides has been developed for a modular synthesis of acyl lactones. Significantly, the simple protocol could allow an efficient construction of biologically important phthalide framework. The transformation could be extended to a wide variety of unsaturated carboxylic acids, including substituted 2‐vinyl benzoic acids and different types of alkenoic acids. Moreover, a series of aroyl, heteroaroyl chlorides could serve as coupling partners. Notably, functional groups including MeO, F, Cl and Br could survive. It is believed that acyl radicals generated from acyl chlorides under photoredox catalysis reacted with alkenes via atom‐transfer radical addition (ATRA) and triggered subsequent lactonization in the process. Preliminary mechanistic investigations revealed that the transformation probably proceeded through a free radical pathway.