AICAR Peptide

Key Highlights

• Direct AMPK Activation: Acts as an AMP analog to directly bind and activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), the body’s master metabolic switch.

• Exercise Mimetic Properties: Simulates the biochemical pathways triggered by intense physical endurance training at the cellular level.

• Enhanced Lipid Oxidation: Stimulates fatty acid breakdown and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, supporting fat metabolism research.

• Mitochondrial Biogenesis Support: Upregulates signaling pathways involved in creating new mitochondria and improving cellular energy efficiency.

Mechanism of Action

AICAR operates by mimicking adenosine monophosphate (AMP) within the cell:

1. AMPK Binding: Directly binds to the $\gamma$-subunit of AMPK, inducing a conformational change that activates the enzyme.

2. Glucose Uptake & Translocation: Promotes GLUT4 transporter translocation, increasing glucose uptake independent of insulin.

3. Fatty Acid Oxidation: Phosphorylates and inhibits Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC), relieving the suppression on fatty acid oxidation in mitochondria.

4. Gene Expression Upregulation: Triggers the expression of genes associated with endurance adaptation (such as PPAR$\delta$ and PGC-1$\alpha$).