AICAR: Research Profile, Dosages & Supplier Prices

Metabolic research (small molecule) · Lyophilized powder · Also known as: AICA ribonucleotide, Acadesine, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside

AICAR is a metabolic research (small molecule) compound with a molecular weight of 258.2 g/mol and a research half-life of short (rapid cellular uptake and phosphorylation). AICAR (acadesine) is an adenosine analog and the prototypical pharmacological activator of AMPK - the cell's central energy-sensing kinase. Inside cells it is phosphorylated to ZMP, an AMP mimetic that allosterically activates AMPK, switching cells from energy storage to energy production: increased glucose uptake, fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial biogenesis.

Research Use Only (RUO). Not for human or veterinary use. Not medical advice.

Sequence	Non-peptide small molecule (adenosine analog)
Formula	C9H14N4O5
Mol. weight	258.2 g/mol
Half-life	Short (rapid cellular uptake and phosphorylation)
Forms sold	Lyophilized powder

What is AICAR?

It became famous in 2008 when a landmark study showed it enhanced endurance in sedentary mice - the original 'exercise in a pill' result - and it has been a WADA-prohibited substance ever since. Beyond exercise biology, AICAR (as acadesine) has genuine clinical history in cardiac surgery ischemia protection trials. In research it remains the standard positive-control AMPK activator used across metabolism, cancer and inflammation studies.

Mechanism of Action (Research Context)

Cell-permeable adenosine analog phosphorylated intracellularly to ZMP, which mimics AMP and allosterically activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Downstream: increased GLUT4 translocation, fatty acid oxidation, and PGC-1alpha-driven mitochondrial biogenesis.

Research Areas

AMPK activation and energy sensingExercise mimetic researchGlucose uptake and insulin sensitivityCardiac ischemia protectionCancer metabolism

AICAR Dosages in Research

50mg100mg500mg vials

Rodent exercise/metabolism studies typically use 250-500 mg/kg; cell culture uses 0.5-2 mM. Research-context only.

Dosage information is a summary of published laboratory research and is provided for informational purposes only. These compounds are not for human use.

Storage & Handling

Lyophilized: -20C desiccated. Reconstituted: 2-8C, use within 1-2 weeks or aliquot and freeze.

AICAR Supplier Price Comparison

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AICAR FAQ

A 2008 Cell study showed AICAR increased endurance in sedentary mice by activating AMPK - the landmark 'exercise in a pill' finding that made it the prototypical exercise mimetic and a WADA-banned substance.

No - it is a small-molecule adenosine analog (acadesine). It is stocked alongside metabolic peptides because AMPK research overlaps heavily with mitochondrial peptide research.

98%+ HPLC purity and mass spec identity at 258.2 Da. It is inexpensive and widely available, but identity confirmation is still standard practice.

Age & Use Verification