AICAR — EU research guide.
AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide) is a cell-permeable AMP-mimetic that directly activates AMPK, the master metabolic switch. It is widely used in metabolic research and is prohibited by WADA.
What is AICAR?
AICAR is converted intracellularly to ZMP, an AMP mimetic that activates AMPK by simulating energy depletion. AMPK activation switches cells from anabolic to catabolic metabolism: increasing fatty acid oxidation, glucose uptake, mitochondrial biogenesis and reducing mTOR signalling. Note: AICAR is not a peptide but a nucleotide derivative; it appears in peptide research databases due to its common co-use in metabolic research.
What does the research show?
Seminal mouse studies (Evans lab, Salk Institute) showed ~44% improvement in running endurance with AICAR alone, without exercise. Extensive use in diabetes, obesity and mitochondrial disease research. AICAR activates PGC-1α and increases GLUT4 expression. The exercise-mimicking profile attracted significant sports doping research interest. No approved human therapeutic as of mid-2026.
EU legal status
Not approved as a medicine in the EU. WADA-prohibited in sport (S4 — Hormone and metabolic modulators). Available for laboratory metabolic research only.
Molecular information
Pharmacokinetics
AICAR across EU suppliers
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