Aicar – 50mg

AICAR (5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide, also referred to in the literature as acadesine) is a nucleoside analog studied extensively as a pharmacological activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a central regulator of cellular energy sensing. Published research has examined AICAR’s effect on AMPK-dependent signaling in cultured cells and in animal models of metabolic and exercise physiology, and the summary below reflects that literature for research reference only.

What is AICAR?

AICAR is an intermediate in the purine-biosynthesis pathway that, once taken up by cells, is converted to ZMP, an AMP-mimetic molecule that allosterically activates AMPK. Because AMPK functions as a cellular energy-sensing hub, coordinating pathways involved in glucose uptake, fatty-acid oxidation, and mitochondrial biogenesis, researchers have used AICAR as a pharmacological tool to study AMPK-dependent signaling without requiring physical exercise stimuli in the models tested.

Study authors examining skeletal-muscle tissue in rodent models have reported that AICAR administration was associated with shifts in gene-expression programs overlapping with those induced by endurance exercise, findings that led researchers to describe AICAR as an “exercise-mimetic” compound for research purposes. Additional cell-based research has examined AICAR’s effect on AMPK-dependent autophagy and lipid-metabolism pathways.

Chemical Identity

Purity & Quality

First Class Science supplies Aicar at 99% purity, verified by independent third-party HPLC testing and mass spectrometry. A Certificate of Analysis is available for every batch at https://firstclassscience.com/certificate-of-analysis/. Store lyophilised compound at −20°C for long-term stability; refrigerate at 2–8°C after reconstitution and use within 4–6 weeks.

Important: This item is manufactured strictly for research purposes. It is not intended for human or veterinary use and is distributed solely for laboratory and scientific investigation.

Research Applications

AMPK Pathway & Exercise-Metabolism Models

A frequently cited study (Narkar et al., Cell, 2008) examined AICAR administration in sedentary mice and reported increased treadmill endurance-running capacity alongside gene-expression shifts in skeletal muscle that overlapped with those seen after chronic exercise training; study authors described AICAR as reproducing certain molecular signatures of exercise in this model when AMPK signaling was pharmacologically engaged. This research is limited to rodent models and has not been established for human use.

Cellular Energy-Sensing & Autophagy Research

Cell-based studies have used AICAR as a research tool to activate AMPK signaling and examine downstream effects on autophagy induction, lipid-oxidation pathways, and glucose-uptake measures in cultured cell models, contributing to the broader literature on AMPK’s role as a metabolic checkpoint.

Disclaimer: The research summarized above is drawn from third-party published studies conducted in animal, in vitro, or non-U.S. clinical contexts. It is provided for research and educational reference only and does not describe an intended use, effect, or benefit of this product for any person or animal.

⊗ ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. This category covers strictly in vitro laboratory testing and scientific experimentation. Content on this site is for education only and does not authorize human or animal use of any kind, which is prohibited by law. Only trained, licensed professionals should handle these materials. Nothing sold here qualifies as a drug, food, or cosmetic, and none of it may be labeled, advertised, or used as such.