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AICAR peptide from Peptide Works is the short name for the naturally occurring compound 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide. The peptide is important for producing inosine monophosphate (IMP) in our cells. This process is important because it creates purine nucleotides, which are needed to make DNA and RNA and to transfer energy through ATP and GTP.
The process begins with a molecule called ribose 5-phosphate, which goes through several enzyme-driven reactions to form IMP. IMP is an essential building block for the nucleotides adenine and guanine, both of which are vital for cell growth and function. AICAR plays a key role in regulating cellular energy metabolism.
It is frequently used in research to investigate energy balance and metabolic pathways, and allows scientists to understand how cells react to different states. Scientists are especially excited about its possible uses in the treatment of metabolic diseases, improving athletic performance and in the prevention and treatment of certain chronic diseases. In general, AICAR is important for maintaining cell health and in function.
Peptide Sequence (IUPAC Condensed): 5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide ribotide
Molecular Formula: C9H15N4O8P
Molecular Weight: 338.21 g/mol
AICAR acts as an analog of adenosine monophosphate (AMP), enabling it to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a vital regulator of cellular energy balance. By mimicking AMP, AICAR binds to AMPK, activating it even when energy stress is absent.
Once activated, AMPK initiates catabolic pathways that generate ATP, which include glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation. Simultaneously, it inhibits processes such as lipid and protein synthesis to conserve energy more effectively.
This characteristic makes AICAR an important tool for studying energy metabolism, as it provides insights into AMPK pathways and their significance in metabolic disorders, exercise, and cellular responses to stress.
Regulates Energy: Studies have shown that AICAR stimulates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). It plays a vital role in maintaining the energy level of cells. Research has shown that it promotes energy-generating pathways, including glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation, and inhibits energy-consuming pathways like lipid synthesis and protein synthesis. The studies suggest the peptide is a useful tool for investigating energy metabolism and its involvement in disease [1].
Reduces Fat: Research indictaes it reduces fat by activating AMPK, promoting fatty acid oxidation, and inhibiting lipid synthesis. Research in male Wistar rats showed decreased fat stores, increased energy expenditure, improved leptin sensitivity, and enhanced mitochondrial density, making it a potential tool for studying and addressing obesity and metabolic disorders [2].
Protects Against Muscle Loss: Studies suggest it can help prevent muscle loss caused by inflammation by activating AMPK, a key energy regulator. This activation restores healthy metabolism and protects muscle mass. Studies in mice with cancer and inflammation-induced muscle loss have shown that AICAR is effective, unlike metformin, which can worsen inflammatory effects. However, timing is important, using the peptide early in disease progression can prevent muscle wasting, while late use may sometimes worsen it due to added metabolic stress [3].
Study of Metabolic Disorders: The peptide makes an excellent research tool for investigation of metabolic diseases, namely diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. By replicating energy stress, it might enable scientists to investigate how cells respond and adapt to a lack of energy and potentially find targets for therapy.
It has been reported that AICAR enhances AMPK activity and insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant, high-fat-fed rats. A single dose increased muscle glucose uptake, inhibited hepatic glucose output, and decreased malonyl-CoA and liver triglyceride content. These results have identified the promise of AICAR in the intervention for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes by regulating important metabolic pathways [4].
Exercise-Mimicking Benefits: Studies suggest the peptide mimics exercise benefits by boosting mitochondrial biogenesis and endurance, offering insights into exercise physiology and treatments for reduced physical activity. It activates AMPK, which increases mitochondrial proteins like SIRT3 and MnSOD, enhancing function and reducing oxidative stress. These effects depend on functional AMPK and PGC-1α [5].
Heart Protection and Repair: AICAR supports heart health by activating AMPK, boosting energy production, reducing oxidative stress, and aiding heart repair after a myocardial infarction (MI). Studies in aging mice show it enhances mesenchymal stem cell function, improving scar formation and reducing harmful cardiac remodeling, though without changes in ejection fraction or cardiac output [6].
[1] Dora Višnjić, Hrvoje Lalić, Vilma Dembitz, Barbara Tomić, and Tomislav Smoljo (2021) AICAr, a Widely Used AMPK Activator with Important AMPK-Independent Effects: A Systematic Review – Cells, 2021 May 4, Volume 10 (Issue 5), Page 1095.
[2] M P Gaidhu, A Frontini, S Hung, K Pistor et al (2011). Chronic AMP-kinase activation with AICAR reduces adiposity by remodeling adipocyte metabolism and increasing leptin sensitivity[S] – Journal of Lipid Research, 2011 Sep, Volume 52 (Issue 9), Pages 1702–1711.
[3] D T Hall, T Griss, J F Ma, B J Sanchez, et al (2018). The AMPK agonist 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR), but not metformin, prevents inflammation-associated cachectic muscle wasting – EMBO Molecular Medicine, 2018 Jul, Volume 10 (Issue 7), Page e8307.
[4] M A Iglesias, J-M Ye, G Frangioudakis, A K Saha, E Tomas, et al (2002) AICAR administration causes an apparent enhancement of muscle and liver insulin action in insulin-resistant high-fat-fed rats – Diabetes, 2002 Oct, Volume 51 (Issue 10), Pages 2886-94.
The answers to the most frequently asked questions about AICAR.
Buy AICAR Peptide Nasal Spray from Peptide Works. The spray is available in 15ml and 30ml glass spray bottles.
Yes, but you can only buy AICAR for research use. It is used in science to investigate metabolism and sports physiology. The peptide has not been approved for human consumption or medical use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This makes it illegal for people to use it as a drug or dietary supplement for medical therapy. This peptide is banned for professional athletes because it enhances performance. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has strict rules in place to maintain fair competition.
Its ability to activate AMPK and mimic energy stress makes it a powerful tool for studying metabolic disorders, exercise physiology, and cellular energy regulation. It helps researchers explore therapeutic strategies for a wide range of conditions.
It is mainly used in research, and its safety in humans is still uncertain. It may pose risks like metabolic stress or unintended effects on energy regulation, especially with long-term or high-dose use.
While AICAR is not approved as a treatment, it is being studied for its potential in managing conditions like type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and muscle-wasting disorders. Its therapeutic applications are still under investigation.
This blog looks at how AICAR can improve endurance by activating AMPK, an important energy regulator. It explains how AICAR imitates the effects of exercise, supporting mitochondrial growth, improving glucose and fat metabolism, and enhancing muscle function in research studies. It also covers its potential benefits for metabolic flexibility, heart health, and future research possibilities.
This blog explains how AICAR helps preserve muscle by activating AMPK pathways, mimicking the benefits of exercise, and improving energy metabolism. It covers how AICAR boosts glucose uptake, fatty acid oxidation, and mitochondrial biogenesis, which support muscle mass and function during stress or aging. The blog also highlights that AICAR is currently for research use only, while exploring its potential future in medicine.
This blog looks at Tesamorelin and how it helps with metabolic health. It can reduce visceral fat and improve energy balance. Tesamorelin is also compared with AMPK activators like AICAR. Both affect fat use, sugar levels, and cell energy. Together, they could offer new ideas for improving metabolic health.
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DISCLAIMER: These products are intended solely as a research chemical only. This classification allows for their use only for research development and laboratory studies. The information available on our Peptide Works website: https://peptide-works.com/ is provided for educational purposes only. These products are not for human or animal use or consumption in any manner. Handling of these products should be limited to suitably qualified professionals. They are not to be classified as a drug, food, cosmetic, or medicinal product and must not be mislabelled or used as such.
