Effect of acetate on hypoglycemic seizures in mice.

In order to determine the effects of acetate on signs and symptoms of hypoglycemic seizures, Swiss Webster albino mice were injected intraperitoneally with solutions of NaCl, NaHCO3, NH4Cl, Na-acetate, or NH4-acetate, followed by subcutaneous injection of 7 U of insulin/kg body wt. Administration of Na- or NH4-acetate delayed and reduced the incidence of hypoglycemic reactions. Reinjection with Na-acetate or repeated injections with NH4-acetate caused a return to normal behavior patterns for 60 and 75%, respectively, of the affected hypoglycemic experimental animals. Injections of control animals with NaHCO3 or NH4Cl showed that the results were not due to alkalosis or acidosis. Acetate administration significantly increased plasma acetate and citrate, but not glucose, lactate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, or acetoacetate concentrations. The results indicate that intraperitoneal administration of acetate directly acted to prevent signs of hypoglycemia from occurring and reversed its manifestations when they were present. The protective effect of acetate suggests that it may serve as a fuel for the brain.