The protective effect of exogenous sodium pyruvate on the distal-proximal progression of experimental acrylamide neuropathy in rats was examined. Incorporation of 2% (w/w) sodium pyruvate powder in the diet of rats receiving subcutaneous injections of an aqueous solution of acrylamide (35 mg/kg/day, 5 days/week) retarded the onset and development of functional, morphological, and biochemical measures of acrylamide neuropathy. Pyruvate supplementation did not alter hexobarbital sleep time or zoxazolamine paralysis time, two in vivo measures of microsomal mixed-function oxidase activity, and the disposition of radioactivity in plasma or sciatic nerve following subcutaneous injection of [14C]acrylamide. Although acrylamide can interfere with energy metabolism at a variety of sites where pyruvate can rescue neurons (axons), the data of this study are consistent with our earlier hypothesis that acrylamide neuropathy may be associated with a glycolytic deficit. The exact site of pyruvate protection is unknown. Exogenous pyruvate is perhaps utilized by axons to circumvent toxin-induced glycolytic inhibition and provide chemical energy for fast axonal transport.