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Peptide Encyclopedia / AICAR

Encyclopedia

AICAR

AICAR is a small-molecule AMPK activator rather than a peptide, known for exercise-mimetic effects such as shifting metabolism toward fat burning in animals. Human study exists mainly as the drug acadesine in other settings, not for performance, and WADA has banned it since 2009. Educational, not medical advice.

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CategoryLongevity / Anti-aging
Regulatory statusNot FDA-approved for metabolic/endurance use.

Mechanism

A small-molecule AMP analog (AMP-mimetic nucleoside) that activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) -- NOT a peptide. AMPK activation shifts metabolism toward fat oxidation and mitochondrial biogenesis, producing 'exercise-mimetic' effects in animal models.

Half-life

Short; rapidly cleared (reported on the order of minutes to a few hours). It is a small molecule, not a peptide.

Regulatory status

Not FDA-approved for metabolic/endurance use. Studied as acadesine in other clinical contexts but not approved. Prohibited by WADA (metabolic modulators, since 2009).

Safety

Limited human safety data for the metabolic/endurance use case; concerns include effects on uric acid metabolism and uncharacterized long-term risk. Use in sport is banned.

Evidence

Strong animal/exercise-mimetic data; some human clinical investigation as acadesine, but not for performance or anti-aging.

Sources

  1. Narkar VA, et al. AMPK and PPARdelta agonists are exercise mimetics. Cell. 2008;134(3):405-415. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18674809/
  2. Visnjic D, et al. AICAr, a Widely Used AMPK Activator with Important AMPK-Independent Effects: A Systematic Review. Cells. 2021;10(5):1095. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34064363/
  3. Mangano DT (McSPI Group). Effects of acadesine on MI, stroke, and death following surgery: meta-analysis of 5 trials. JAMA. 1997;277(4):325-332. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9002496/
  4. Cuthbertson DJ, et al. AICAR acutely stimulates skeletal muscle glucose uptake in healthy men. Diabetes. 2007;56(8):2078-2084. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17513706/
  5. Van Den Neste E, et al. Acadesine for relapsed/refractory CLL: phase I/II study. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2013;71(3):581-591. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23228986/

PepWise is an informational and educational tracking tool, not medical advice and not a medical device. AICAR may be experimental, restricted, or prescription-only; many research peptides are not FDA-approved. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, changing, or stopping any protocol. Operated by STC Consulting, Inc.