Peptide Library / Detail
AICAR
Half-life
≈0.5–2 hours (route-dependent); intracellular ZMP/PD effects persist several hours
Delivery
In vitro (media supplementation) or in vivo via IP/oral routes in animal models; IV used in cardioprotection trials—route/formulation per study design.
Dosage
—
Research Use Only
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Description
AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside) is a cell-permeable adenosine analog converted intracellularly to ZMP, an AMP mimetic used to activate AMPK and interrogate cellular energy-sensing pathways.
Usage
Metabolic and exercise-mimetic research: glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, cardioprotection, and skeletal-muscle endurance models.
Mechanism of Action
Phosphorylated to ZMP, which allosterically activates AMPK and inhibits AMP-degrading enzymes, elevating AMPK signaling (e.g., ACC phosphorylation, fatty-acid oxidation, GLUT4 translocation, PGC-1α programs).
Benefits(5)
- Increases skeletal-muscle glucose uptake (insulin-independent)
- Enhances fatty-acid oxidation and reduces lipogenesis
- Activates mitochondrial biogenesis–associated gene programs
- Useful as an exercise-mimetic/comparator in preclinical models
- Enables cardiometabolic studies (e.g., ischemia–reperfusion)
Side Effects(5)
- Potential hypoglycemia with excessive glucose disposal
- Gastrointestinal discomfort or nausea
- Headache or fatigue
- Altered uric-acid/purine metabolism (hyperuricemia risk)
- Elevations in liver enzymes or renal load at high dose/duration
AICAR — frequently asked questions
What is AICAR?
AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside) is a cell-permeable adenosine analog converted intracellularly to ZMP, an AMP mimetic used to activate AMPK and interrogate cellular energy-sensing pathways.
What is the half-life of AICAR?
AICAR has an approximate half-life of ≈0.5–2 hours (route-dependent); intracellular ZMP/PD effects persist several hours. The half-life determines how often you need to inject to maintain steady blood levels — use the Peptides Calculator half-life calculator to plot your specific dosing schedule and see the decay curve.
How is AICAR administered?
AICAR is typically delivered via in vitro (media supplementation) or in vivo via ip/oral routes in animal models; iv used in cardioprotection trials—route/formulation per study design.. The Peptides Calculator app helps you reconstitute the vial with bacteriostatic water, calculate your exact dose in syringe units, and track each injection.
How does AICAR work?
Phosphorylated to ZMP, which allosterically activates AMPK and inhibits AMP-degrading enzymes, elevating AMPK signaling (e.g., ACC phosphorylation, fatty-acid oxidation, GLUT4 translocation, PGC-1α programs).
What are the researched benefits of AICAR?
Studied benefits of AICAR include: Increases skeletal-muscle glucose uptake (insulin-independent), Enhances fatty-acid oxidation and reduces lipogenesis, Activates mitochondrial biogenesis–associated gene programs, Useful as an exercise-mimetic/comparator in preclinical models, Enables cardiometabolic studies (e.g., ischemia–reperfusion). These are research findings only — Peptides Calculator does not provide medical advice; consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any peptide protocol.
What are the side effects of AICAR?
Reported side effects of AICAR include: Potential hypoglycemia with excessive glucose disposal, Gastrointestinal discomfort or nausea, Headache or fatigue, Altered uric-acid/purine metabolism (hyperuricemia risk), Elevations in liver enzymes or renal load at high dose/duration. Always discuss potential side effects with a licensed healthcare provider before using any research peptide.