Is AICAR an exercise mimetic?

In rodent studies AICAR activates AMPK and reproduces some endurance adaptations even without training, which is why it is described as an exercise-mimetic.

Is AICAR banned in sports?

Yes. As a metabolic modulator, AICAR is on the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list.

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Weight & Metabolic

Preclinical

AICAR

Also known as: AICAR, Acadesine

AICAR (Acadesine) is an AMPK-activating compound studied as an exercise-mimetic for endurance and metabolic effects in animals. Note: AICAR is a small-molecule nucleoside (an AMPK activator), not a peptide, but is commonly sold alongside research peptides.

Mechanism of Action

AICAR is a cell-permeable nucleoside that is phosphorylated intracellularly to ZMP, an analog of AMP. ZMP allosterically activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), the cell's central energy sensor, without changing actual ATP levels. Activated AMPK promotes glucose uptake via GLUT4 translocation, stimulates fatty-acid oxidation by inhibiting acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and drives PGC-1alpha-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis, collectively mimicking some adaptations of endurance exercise.

Half-life: Short; on the order of minutes to a few hours
Administration Routes: subcutaneous, intravenous
Research Status: Preclinical