AICAR
Also known as: Acadesine · AICA-riboside · 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide
A naturally occurring nucleoside and potent AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) activator. Mimics the cellular effects of exercise by activating energy-sensing pathways. Studied for metabolic disease, exercise performance, fat oxidation, and cancer treatment.
Mechanism of Action
AICAR is converted intracellularly to ZMP, which mimics AMP and activates AMPK — the master metabolic switch. This leads to increased fatty acid oxidation, glucose uptake, improved insulin sensitivity, and mitochondrial biogenesis. In animal studies, AICAR alone increased endurance capacity by 44% and altered gene expression in skeletal muscle to an endurance phenotype.
Amino Acid Sequence (0 AAs)
N/A (not a peptide)
Benefits
- Activates AMPK — the master metabolic regulator
- Increases fat oxidation and fatty acid metabolism
- Improves insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake
- Exercise-mimetic properties (increases endurance gene expression)
- Studied for metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, NAFLD
- Cancer research (pro-apoptotic in some cancer cell lines)
- Cardiovascular protection during ischemia
Side Effects & Risks
- Hypoglycemia risk (increases glucose uptake)
- Headache
- Nausea
- Potential cardiac arrhythmia at high doses
- Not cleared for human use beyond specific cardiac surgical settings
Storage & Reconstitution Guide
Storage Temperature
-20°C lyophilized
24 months (lyophilized), 28 days (reconstituted)
Reconstitution Solvent
Sterile water or saline for injection
Swirl gently — do not shake or vortex
Handling Notes
Protect lyophilized peptide from moisture and light. Once reconstituted, keep refrigerated. Discard if solution becomes cloudy or discolored. Use insulin syringe for precise dosing.
Step-by-Step Reconstitution
Gather supplies
BAC water, insulin syringe, alcohol swabs, vial
Disinfect tops
Swab rubber stoppers of both vials with alcohol
Draw BAC water
Pull desired mL of BAC water into syringe
Inject slowly
Inject BAC water down the side of the peptide vial, swirl gently to dissolve
Preclinical Research & Reviews1
AICAR activates AMP-activated protein kinase and improves insulin sensitivity
AICAR activates AMPK and significantly improves insulin sensitivity and fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle.
Molecular Structure
- CAS Number
- 2627-69-2
- PubChem CID
- 17513
- Molecular Weight
- 258.23 Da
- Mol. Formula
- C9H14N4O5
- Wikipedia
- View article
Research Protocol
- Dose Range
- 500–1000 mg
- Frequency
- Once daily subcutaneous injection or IV
- Cycle
- 2-4 weeks
- Half-Life
- 2-3 hours
- Routes
- subcutaneous injectionintravenous injection
- Notes
- CAUTION: Research compound with significant metabolic effects. Hypoglycemia risk. Use only in controlled research settings.
Legal & Regulatory Status
Sold for research purposes only. Not for human use. Laws vary by country.
Commonly Stacked With
View all peptide stacks →External Resources
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