Description
AICAR (5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside) is a potent, cell-permeable AMPK activator that simulates exercise and metabolic effects by increasing glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation. It is a nucleoside analog that converts to ZMP inside cells to stimulate AMP-activated protein kinase.
Key Details About AICAR:
- Mechanism: AICAR is taken up by muscle cells and phosphorylated into ZMP, which acts as an AMP analog to stimulate AMPK activity.
- Metabolic Effects: It reduces fatty acid/sterol synthesis and increases GLUT4 translocation, which mimics the effects of exercise.
- Applications: Used in research for treating diabetes, ischemia/reperfusion heart injury, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
- Physical Properties: It is a white solid, soluble in water and DMSO
Benefits and Research Findings:
- Metabolic Control: AICAR improves glycemic control and reduces obesity in animal models.
- Performance: It can increase endurance in mice.
- Muscle Health: It has been shown to improve muscle function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy models.
- Anti-inflammatory: It reduces inflammation and acts as an antioxidant by activating Nrf2.
Note: AICAR is a prohibited substance and should not be used without proper, authorized research contexts.
