Regional cerebral Na+K+ ATPase activity following octanoate administration.

Sodium octanoate in an 0.2 M solution was administered to rabbits by continuous slow IV infusion over 4 hr. Controls were given identical infusions of normal saline. The animals were then sacrificed, brains were removed, and specific areas were isolated and assayed for Na+K+ ATPase activity. Significant inhibition of regional Na+K+ ATPase activity was detected in cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, pons, and medulla of rabbits given octanoate when compared to controls.