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All products discussed on this site are Research Use Only (RUO) compounds intended strictly for laboratory research. Nothing here is medical advice, and these products are not for human or veterinary use.

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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.

SequenceNon-peptide small molecule (adenosine analog)
FormulaC9H14N4O5
Mol. weight258.2 g/mol
Half-lifeShort (rapid cellular uptake and phosphorylation)
Forms soldLyophilized 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

SupplierProductPriceScore
Leading Peptide Research Company AICAR 50mg 50mg — ★ 2.2
Peptides, Steroid Powders & Biochemical Raw Materials AICAR (Acadesine) 50mg – In stock 50mg — ★ 1.8
Login Redirect AICAR — ★ 2.6
Home AICA Ribonucleotide (AICAR) 50mg 50mg $25.00 ★ 2.3
Home AICAR $31.00 ★ 2.0
Amino USA: Premium & Third AICAR 50mg 50mg $45.00 ★ 2.2
AVGSciences – US Medicine AICAR 50mg 50mg $49.95 ★ 3.2
Apex Peptides Aicar $53.00 ★ 2.3
24Peptides AICAR 50mg 50mg $54.00 ★ 2.2
AIO Peptides: Buy High AICAR 50mg 50mg $54.00 ★ 2.0
Buy Peptides for Laboratory Research AICAR 50mg 50mg $54.99 ★ 2.8
Home AICAR $55.00 ★ 1.8
American Peptide Innovations AICAR (50mg) 50mg $55.00 ★ 1.9
No. 1 Steroids Store 1pharmacologyusa.com AICAR 50 mg ST Biotechnology 50mg $58.50 ★ 3.0
Home Core Peptides AICAR – 50MG 50MG $62.00 ★ 2.3
My account – Axon AXP-AICAR $62.99 ★ 2.1
Ascend Peptides AICAR $64.99 ★ 1.9
Research Peptides for Sale – US AICAR (1 Vial) $69.99 ★ 2.2
Home AICAR $72.00 ★ 1.8
American Select Peptides – Research peptides and analytical standards for qualified laboratories. AICAR $79.00 ★ 1.7
Wholesale high AICAR Peptide 99% High Purity Wholesale (50mg / 100mg) 50mg / 100mg $86.00 ★ 2.6
Research Peptides — Third AICAR (50mg) 50mg $87.99 ★ 1.9
Apex Gains LLC Aicar Peptide $100.00 ★ 2.1
Apex Health Performance AICAR (50mg) 50mg $130.00 ★ 2.0
Apex DNA Peptides AICAR (50mg) 50mg $130.00 ★ 1.9
Alpha Amino Labs AICAR(50 mg) 50mg $130.00 ★ 1.9
Buy Peptides UK AICAR (10 pack) $258.75 ★ 2.3
Evolve Anti AICAR $285.00 ★ 2.5
GHBKoshop AICAR Peptide 99% Pure | CAS 2627-69-2 | 10 Vials/Box – Pharma Grade $290.00 ★ 2.6
Home AICAR (50mg) (10 Vials) 50mg $400.99 ★ 2.3

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.
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