Alterations in serum glucose and hepatic glycogen concentrations during octanoate administration in rabbits.

During continuous administration of sodium octanoate (0.2 M) into weanling and mature rabbits, a significant decrease in serum glucose concentration was observed within 15 minutes after onset of the infusion. This relative hypoglycemia persisted for as long as one hour, after which there was a rebound to normoglycemia. Hepatic glycogen concentrations were correspondingly reduced by one-half in octanoate-treated versus control animals. Previous studies in an octanoate model have demonstrated clinical, biochemical, and pathologic features similar to those found in Reye syndrome. The current findings may have implications for the hypoglycemia observed in children with Reye syndrome.