Effects of therapeutic agents in a rabbit model of Reye syndrome.

Six potential therapeutic agents were evaluated in an experimental model simulating Reye syndrome produced by infusion of the short-chain fatty acid, sodium octanoate, into rabbits. Administration of carnitine, dexamethasone, or fatty acid-free albumin resulted in prolongation of survival, less rise in intracranial pressure, and amelioration of some of the metabolic abnormalities found typically during octanoate infusion. Treatment with pentobarbital or dimethyl sulfoxide prevented intracranial pressure elevations but had no protective effect on survival. Hypertonic glucose administration produced no improvement in any of the parameters studied.