Research Use Only. Peptides Lab UK supplies research-grade materials for in-vitro laboratory research only. Nothing on this page is medical advice or an instruction for human or animal use, and no product sold on this website is a medicine.
What is AICAR?
AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside, acadesine) is a cell-permeable nucleoside that is phosphorylated intracellularly to ZMP, an AMP analogue widely used as a pharmacological activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in cell and animal research. It is not a peptide and is not an authorised medicine in the UK.
Published research
Early biochemical work established AICAR as a tool for activating AMPK in intact cells, while noting effects that may be AMPK-independent. In mice, AICAR was reported to increase running endurance in sedentary animals, leading to its description as an “exercise mimetic” in the research literature. Cell studies have also reported effects on glucose transport and AMPK-independent cell-death pathways, illustrating that results depend on model and concentration.[1,2,3,4]
Limitations of the evidence
Much of the available literature is preclinical (cell and animal models) or comes from small numbers of research groups. Findings in defined experimental systems cannot be extrapolated to other settings, and this page does not provide dosing, administration or human-use information.
Laboratory handling and storage
Lyophilised peptides are generally stored sealed, protected from light and moisture, at low temperature as specified on the certificate of analysis. Once reconstituted for in-vitro work, solutions are typically kept refrigerated and used within a validated stability window. Researchers should follow their institution’s procedures and the batch documentation (HPLC purity and mass-spectrometry identity) supplied with each lot.
UK regulatory status
In the UK, medicines are regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Research-grade compounds sold by Peptides Lab UK are supplied strictly for laboratory research; they are not medicinal products, are not manufactured to medicinal GMP standards and must not be used in humans or animals.
Related research pages
References
- Corton JM et al. 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside. A specific method for activating AMP-activated protein kinase in intact cells? Eur J Biochem. 1995; 229(2):558-65. doi:10.1111/j.1432-1033.1995.tb20498.x PMID: 7744080.
- Narkar VA et al. AMPK and PPARdelta agonists are exercise mimetics. Cell. 2008; 134(3):405-15. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2008.06.051 PMID: 18674809.
- Salt IP et al. 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR) inhibits insulin-stimulated glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Diabetes. 2000; 49(10):1649-56. doi:10.2337/diabetes.49.10.1649 PMID: 11016448.
- Aikawa A et al. Anti-tumor activity of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside with AMPK-independent cell death in human adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. Eur J Pharmacol. 2023; 961:176180. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176180 PMID: 37956732.
Disclaimer: All products sold by Peptides Lab UK are for laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use, not for consumption, and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This page is an educational literature summary and is not medical advice.
