Dimitar Marinov, Ph.D.Researchers looking to explore the benefits of AMP-kinase activation may be wondering how to establish the right AICAR dosage for their study.
AICAR is an analog of adenosine monophosphate, and has been documented to:
- Boost endurance
- Increase metabolism and fat loss
- Reduce inflammation
Our research team has put together this AICAR dosage calculator and guide to go over the peptide’s possible research applications and side effects.
Read through the end as we reveal our go-to online source for buying research-grade peptides, including AICAR.
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AICAR Dosage Chart | Quick Breakdown
| Daily Dosage | 25mg |
| Sample Research Protocol | Administer dose daily for up to 2 weeks |
| Repeat Cycle | Up to 2 times per year |
What is AICAR?
AICAR (alternatively, acadesine) is a naturally occurring substance that regulates adenosine—a nucleoside that occurs in all cells of the body. It also activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a protein that regulates metabolism and energy homeostasis [1, 2].
By regulating metabolism and critical biological functions, AMPK works to conserve cellular energy and viability in conditions of metabolic stress. In short, AMPK ensures that the various tissues of the body do not exhaust their supply of energy [2, 3].
Following decades of research into AMPK, the scientific community began to take interest in AICAR as “exercise in a pill.” Animal studies showed that AICAR treatment could enhance running endurance without subjecting the test subjects to any additional exercise [3].
The substance would eventually be banned for use in competitive sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency, among other organizations [3].
AICAR is currently being examined as a therapeutic agent in a range of contexts, including diabetes, alcohol-induced fatty liver, and kidney cancer [4, 5, 6].
AICAR Benefits and Research Applications
Researchers are actively exploring the potential benefits of AICAR administration, including fat burning, inflammation reduction, and endurance optimization.
Here's a few of the most common benefits:
- Weight loss: AMPK activation, whether through exercise or AICAR administration, can result in a healthier metabolic state with the potential of treating obesity and reversing metabolic abnormalities [7].
- Longevity/anti-aging: Research indicates that cellular AMPK activity declines with age, thus hindering efficient cellular homeostasis and accelerating the aging process. AICAR administration is studied as a means of preserving AMPK signaling and thus healthspan and lifespan [8].
- Improved insulin sensitivity: Researchers have found that activating AMPK in adipose tissue is beneficial in insulin-resistant states, since AMPK activation also reduces cytokine secretion in adipocytes [9].
- Reduced obesity-linked inflammation: Long-term administration of low-dose AICAR has been shown to suppress adipose inflammation in obese mice. The reduction of inflammation was linked to enhanced glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity [10].
- Air pollution-related metabolic disorders: Research into AMPK activation via AICAR has found that it may prevent metabolic disorders attributable to air pollution exposure. Researchers have associated the adverse impacts of air pollution on insulin sensitivity, energy homeostasis, lipid metabolism, and inflammatory response with AMPK inhibition [11].
- Anti-inflammatory activity: AICAR has been shown to play a protective role in animal models of acute lung injury, asthma, colitis, atherosclerosis, and other inflammatory diseases [12].
- Increased endurance: In a 2008 study, researchers treated sedentary mice with AICAR at a dose of 500mg/kg per day, finding that the treatment genetically reprogrammed their muscle metabolism to increase their running endurance by 44% [13].
AICAR Side Effects
With decades of clinical use and research to support its safety record, AICAR is generally regarded as safe and well-tolerated when administered by licensed professionals [14].
Researchers should nonetheless monitor for the following potential side effects of AICAR administration [3]:
- Lactic acidosis
- Hypoglycemia
- Fatty liver disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Disrupted hemodynamics
Further, in its 2019 report on AICAR and other AMP-kinase activators, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) cautioned that excess AMPK activation, or activation in the wrong tissue, “can cause serious side effects, including neurodegeneration, or preventing cells from dividing.” The agency added that the “accumulation of naturally-occurring AICAR in the body is also associated with metabolic disorders in humans” [15].
Since AICAR is most often administered via subcutaneous injection, researchers should follow best practices to mitigate the occurrence of injection-related side effects like pain, swelling, or reddening at the injection site.
AICAR Dosage Calculator and Guide
AICAR is available only as a research chemical, and there are no official guidelines on its administration, or any dosage regimens approved as “safe”.
Nevertheless, the peptide has been tested in several phase-2 and even phase-3 trials, which have employed it in the form of continuous intravenous infusion (for up to 7 hours at a time) [3].
The majority of these trials have used a single infusion in doses ranging from 5mg/kg of body weight to 315mg per kg of bodyweight. Single doses of at least 30mg/kg have been reported to improve muscle glucose uptake and cardiac function [3].
Research regarding AICAR’s potential effect on hematologic malignancies (leukemia) have also tested repeated infusions, in doses of up to 210mg/kg per infusion, and up to a total of 6 infusions within 12 days.
Yet, such high doses have shown an increased risk of kidney toxicity, which has led to discontinuation of the therapy in some subjects, despite the beneficial effects of the peptide on certain hematological parameters. The peptide has not been clinically tested for periods longer than 12 days [3].
Furthermore, current management of hematological malignancies is extremely complex, well-developed, highly regulated, and specialized to the particular clinical situation. New treatments, including potential adjuvant treatments, thus have a long, uphill path to travel before they could be worked into current clinical protocol.
Sample AICAR Dosing Protocol For Research
For reference purposes, here is a sample AICAR dosing protocol that researchers may administer to achieve benefits like enhanced endurance in test subjects:
- Daily Dosage: 25mg/daily
- Frequency: Daily subcutaneously.
- Study Duration: Up to two weeks
- Notes: Based on this protocol, a single two-week study requires a total of seven AICAR 50mg vials. Monitor kidney function throughout the whole period of the experiment.
Given the potential for kidney damage at high dosage protocols, researchers should begin therapeutic protocols with significantly reduced doses, such as a maximum of 25mg/daily for a maximum duration of two weeks. As an alternative, subjects can be administered 50mg every other day for the same two-week period, achieving an equivalent total dosage.
AICAR should not be cycled for longer than 14 days. Further, there should be a washout period of at least 1-2 months before reinitiating the cycle, and there should not be more than three cycles annually per subject.
Where to Buy AICAR Online? | 2024 Edition
Due to increased research interest in AICAR and other AMP-kinase activators, the peptide is readily available online to qualified researchers and laboratory professionals.
At Peptides.org, we have ordered research chemicals from a number of online vendors, finding that some offer low-quality or excessively costly AICAR, while others deliver premium products at a fair price.
PureRawz
In our experience, PureRawz is one of the best vendor of research peptides and related chemicals. With excellent peptide quality, shipping policies, and customer service, this vendor ships 99% pure AICAR to researchers around the globe.
Here is why we endorse this vendor:
- Third-party testing: All PureRawz peptides go through both first- and third-party laboratory testing to ensure 99% purity. This ensures the research community receives the highest quality AICAR.
- Great pricing: One AICAR 50mg vial costs $60.48. This is a great price for high purity AICAR.
- Fast shipping: Domestic orders usually take 4-10 business days to arrive, and even ship free if the order value exceeds $100.
- Service and care: Researchers may contact PureRawz’ dedicated support team with any questions or concerns, and they will usually respond within one or two days.
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Bacteriostatic Water and AICAR
Researchers of all disciplines need to have the right tools for their studies. This is especially important when handling peptides, including AICAR.
To be able to correctly prepare and store research peptides, items like bacteriostatic water, sterile vials, and more is requires.
Yet some researchers struggle to gather all the necessary materials, as solid suppliers of all the products are rare. However, it is a required step in the research process.
AICAR Dosing | Verdict
Through its mechanism of activating AMP kinase, AICAR has been shown to reduce inflammation, aid in fat burning, and boost energy and endurance in a variety of research contexts.
Researchers and clinicians are increasingly turning to this peptide to help prevent or battle the effects of diabetes, auto-immune disorders, and other inflammatory conditions.
AICAR has had a favorable safety record to date, though researchers should note that it is banned for use by anti-doping organizations such as WADA and USADA.
Researchers looking to delve into the uses and applications of AICAR, we recommend visiting our top-rated vendor to purchase research-grade peptides.
David Warmflash, M.D.