AICAR
Also Known As: Acadesine, AICA-riboside, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide, AICAR nucleoside, ZMP precursor, Acadesine AICAR, AMPK activator AICAR, Exercise mimetic AICAR, Metabolic research AICAR, AICA ribonucleoside, Purine nucleoside analog AICAR, AMPK activator, exercise in a bottle, acadesine, ZMP
AICAR is a research-grade Purine nucleoside analog targeting AMP-activated protein kinase studied in Weight Loss & Metabolism research. It is supplied strictly for in vitro laboratory research use only - not for human or animal consumption, and not FDA-approved.
Evidence Tier: Research Compound - No approved human use; sold for laboratory research only.
An exercise-mimetic AMPK activator; banned in sport, mostly preclinical.
At A Glance
| Category | Weight Loss & Metabolism |
|---|---|
| Compound Class | Purine nucleoside analog; cell-permeable AMPK activator (converted intracellularly to ZMP) |
| Molecular Target | AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation via ZMP (AMP mimetic); PGC-1alpha upregulation; GLUT4 translocation; mitochondrial biogenesis |
| Molecular Weight | 258.23 Da |
| Amino Acid Sequence | small molecule nucleoside |
| CAS Number | 2627-69-2 |
| Half-Life | ~2 hours |
| WADA Status | prohibited |
| Evidence Tier | Research Compound |
Mechanism Of Action
It enters your cells and flips a master energy switch called AMPK. When this switch is flipped, the cell starts burning fat for energy and builds more stamina engines (mitochondria).
Studied For
- AMPK / metabolic-stress research
- Insulin-resistance models
- Endurance research
- Exercise mimetic
- Fat oxidation via AMPK
- Glucose uptake enhancement
- Cardiac protection / ischemia
- Obesity models
- Metabolic syndrome research
- WADA prohibited performance substance research
- Mitochondrial biogenesis
- Type 2 diabetes models
- Cancer metabolism research
- AMPK pathway signaling
- Anti-inflammatory via AMPK
- endurance enhancement
- fat burning
- metabolic regulator
- ischemic protection
- muscle metabolism
Reported Research Findings
Mostly in vitro and animal: increased glucose uptake, fat oxidation, and running endurance. Acadesine reached human cardiac-surgery trials but was never approved. No established human metabolic or performance efficacy.
Safety And Handling Notes
Transient hyperuricemia and headache in cardiac trials; broad AMPK activation can be context-dependently tumor-promoting; long-term human safety unknown.
Investigational with no safe non-clinical dose. Named on the WADA 2026 Prohibited List (S4.4.1, AMPK activators), prohibited at all times and non-Specified. Hyperuricemia and gout caution. Research use only.
Regulatory Status
Investigational / research chemical; not DEA-controlled. Named on the WADA 2026 Prohibited List under S4.4.1 (activators of the AMP-activated protein kinase); prohibited at all times and a non-Specified substance.
Full Reference Detail
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This Reference Is Provided For In Vitro Laboratory Research Use Only. Not For Human Consumption. See The Full Research Disclaimer.