AICAR
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Description
AICAR peptide Details
AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide) is a cell-permeable nucleoside analog that is phosphorylated intracellularly to ZMP, a molecule that mimics AMP and directly activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) — the cell's master energy-sensing enzyme, normally triggered by the falling ATP/AMP ratio seen during exercise or caloric restriction. Because AICAR activates AMPK pharmacologically without requiring actual energy depletion, it has become a foundational tool in exercise-metabolism research, allowing scientists to study AMPK-dependent adaptations — including mitochondrial biogenesis, increased fatty-acid oxidation, and enhanced glucose uptake via GLUT4 translocation — independent of physical exertion. Published research has documented AICAR's effects on endurance capacity and fiber-type switching in animal models, and it remains one of the most widely used compounds in laboratory studies of AMPK signaling and its downstream role in metabolic and mitochondrial adaptation.
AICAR peptide Scientific Research
AICAR and Insulin Resistance
In rodent models, AICAR has been shown to activate AMPK and modulate inflammatory pathways within adipose tissue. Research has reported that:
- AICAR exposure can reduce inflammatory markers in fat depots
- Inflammation in adipose tissue is closely linked to insulin resistance in experimental models
- Improvements in inflammatory status may correlate with better glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity, even without major changes in overall body weight
Mechanistically, AICAR appears to influence multiple signaling pathways, including those involving SIRT1 and macrophage activity in adipose tissue. These findings underscore the use of AICAR as a tool compound for dissecting the interplay between inflammation, adipose biology, and insulin-related signaling in preclinical studies.
Exercise is known to increase the expression and translocation of GLUT4 in skeletal muscle, enhancing glucose uptake. Experimental work has shown that repeated AICAR administration can mimic several molecular effects of endurance exercise in animal models, making it a useful probe for “exercise-mimetic” signaling pathways in muscle research.
AICAR and Cancer Research
AMPK has a nuanced role in tumor biology, sometimes constraining and sometimes facilitating tumor growth depending on context. AICAR, as an AMPK activator, has been utilized to examine:
- How long-term AMPK activation influences cancer cell metabolism and growth
- Synergistic effects between AICAR and established chemotherapeutic agents in cell culture and animal models
- Sensitization of certain tumor cells to metabolic stress or other environmental challenges
In various preclinical systems, AICAR has been studied for its ability to modulate clonal growth of specific cancer cell lines and to influence pathways involved in cell-cycle regulation, apoptosis, and survival. For example, research in thyroid cancer cells has suggested that AICAR can affect proteins such as p21 and caspase-3, which are associated with programmed cell death and proliferation control. These observations remain experimental and are not indicative of clinical utility.
AICAR and Inflammation
AMPK activators, including AICAR, are widely studied in the context of inflammation and immune signaling. Preclinical work has suggested that AICAR may:
- Influence inflammatory responses in models of lung injury, asthma, colitis, atherosclerosis, and hepatitis
- Affect NF-ÎşB signaling and cytokine production in immune cells, particularly macrophages
- Serve as a central modulator of immune responses in certain autoimmune and inflammatory disease models
In colitis models, for instance, AICAR has been evaluated for its role in modulating TH1 and TH17 cytokine profiles and dampening pro-inflammatory cascades at the cellular level. These investigations help clarify how AMPK activation intersects with immune regulation in experimental systems.
AICAR Research and the Heart and Vasculature
Cardiovascular research has employed AICAR to explore how AMPK activation affects vascular and cardiac tissues. In animal models of atherosclerosis and vascular injury, studies have examined:
- Vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and remodeling
- Inflammatory responses within arterial walls
- Macrophage behavior in response to lipid accumulation (e.g., LDL-related processes)
Some rabbit models have shown that AICAR can influence smooth muscle proliferation and plaque-related processes, providing mechanistic insight into how AMPK signaling may affect vascular biology and long-term vessel integrity in experimental settings.
AICAR Research and Fertility
A significant research focus for AICAR is its role in sperm energy metabolism and motility. Studies in several animal species (including cats, goats, and chickens) indicate that AMPK activation by AICAR can affect:
- Spermatozoa energy utilization and mitochondrial function
- Motility parameters and kinetic properties in vitro
- Activity of key enzymes involved in energetic pathways within sperm cells
These findings suggest that AICAR is a useful experimental tool for reproductive biology and fertility research, particularly where sperm energetics and motility regulation are central endpoints.
Article Titles & Journals
- Targeting AMPK Networks for Male Reproductive Health: Mechanisms and Emerging Therapies.
- Administration of AICAR, an AMPK Activator, Prevents and Reverses Diabetic Polyneuropathy
- The AMPK allosteric activator MK-8722 improves the histology and spliceopathy in myotonic
- Cooperative actions of Tbc1d1 and AS160/Tbc1d4 in GLUT4-trafficking activities.
- Exercise Improves Outcomes of Surgery on Fatty Liver in Mice: A Novel Effect Mediated by t
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Handled correctly, stability holds
All peptides are supplied as sterile, lyophilized powder and are stable when handled correctly.
Store vials in a cool, dry place away from heat and direct sunlight.
For optimal longevity, keep lyophilized peptides refrigerated to help maintain integrity.
Use an appropriate research diluent (for example, BAC water). Store the reconstituted solution in the refrigerator and use within 20–30 days for best stability.
Minimize exposure to moisture and repeated freeze–thaw cycles. Follow your institution's safety procedures when handling research materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
PRODUCT & PURITY
This product is offered for laboratory and research use only. It is not intended for human consumption, medical use, therapeutic use, or veterinary use.
Yes, all of our products are sterile and sealed with a sterility plug and safety cap.
Our products undergo quality control internally at our lab and then 3rd party tested at Bioviridian (at their Texas facility) prior to shipment. All of our COA's are then posted on our site immediately upon receipt.
99% or higher. Period. The expected purity is listed on the individual product page or Certificate of Analysis, when available.
No. We are a manufacturing company and because these products are sold for research purposes only, we do not provide dosing, administration, or medical-use guidance.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, these products are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for therapeutic or diagnostic use.
STORAGE & STABILITY
As a lyophilized powder, peptides are stable. Delays in shipments up to 7 days will have zero to minimal impact on efficacy of peptides. Most precautionary efforts must be made to maintain temperature consistency once reconstituted.
Store the product according to the storage recommendations provided on the label or accompanying documentation in your shipment. Proper storage helps maintain product integrity during its shelf life. Most peptides have an expiration date of 2 years if kept unreconstituted (lyophilized powder).
SHIPPING
Shipping times vary based on your location and the shipping method selected at checkout. We offer shipping options between 1 and 5 days.
No.
Once your order is processed, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking information.
ORDERS
Each order includes the peptide vial as described on the product page above.
We accept all forms of credit cards and Zelle.
If your order has not yet been processed for shipment, we may be able to make changes. Please contact customer support as soon as possible after placing your order.
If your order arrives damaged or incorrect, contact our customer support team promptly at support@peaklabpeptides.com with your order number and photos of the package and product so we can assist you.
For the safety of our researchers and integrity of our products we can not accept returns whatsoever.
SUPPORT
If you have questions about your order or a product, please reach out through our customer support page or contact us at support@peaklabpeptides.com or call/text 605-524-2800.
Purity you can verify
TESTED
VERIFICATION
Peak Lab Peptides maintains quality-control processes and routinely performs third-party testing to support purity and identity verification. COAs are available upon request for applicable batches. Documentation may vary depending on production timelines.
AVAILABILITY
We aim to make batch-level documentation available whenever possible. Our goal is to expand COA access across the full catalog as production capacity grows.
All products are for laboratory research use only and are not intended for human consumption.
