Peptide
Reference library
Educational peptide reference — research use only.
Research & educational use only
For laboratory and educational research only. Not for human or veterinary consumption. This is not medical advice. Always follow applicable laws and consult qualified professionals.
The calculator performs unit math for research reference. It must not be used to plan or guide dosing in humans or animals. Verify all figures independently in your lab protocol.
AICAR
An AMPK-activating nucleoside analog studied in exercise-mimetic research.
- Half-life (approx.)
- ~2–4 h (approx., rodent)
- Diluent
- Sterile water for injection
- Common vials
- 50, 100 mg
Half-life figures are literature approximations for educational reference — not pharmacokinetic advice.
Overview
AICAR (acadesine) activates AMPK and is used as an exercise-mimetic probe in skeletal-muscle and endurance research. It is a nucleoside analog rather than a peptide, but appears frequently in published metabolic literature. Nucleoside analog AMPK activator — classified separately from peptide agonists in this library.
Structure & identity
Nucleoside analog 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide
- Sequence / structure
- Nucleoside analog 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide
Mechanism
AMP analog that activates AMPK, mimicking exercise-induced metabolic stress in muscle cells. Mimics exercise-induced AMP/ATP ratio changes in skeletal muscle cell models.
Studies & clinical programs
Endurance wheel-running mice
Published research models
- Peer-reviewed literature documents endpoints under Endurance wheel-running mice experimental designs.
L6 myotubes
Published research models
- Peer-reviewed literature documents endpoints under L6 myotubes experimental designs.
AMPK phosphorylation assays
Published research models
- Peer-reviewed literature documents endpoints under AMPK phosphorylation assays experimental designs.
Research models in literature
- Endurance wheel-running mice
- L6 myotubes
- AMPK phosphorylation assays
Literature highlights
- AMPK phosphorylation and glucose uptake endpoints in L6 myotubes and rodent muscle.
- Endurance wheel-running protocols used as exercise-mimetic comparators.
- Nucleoside analog class — distinct from peptide stability and handling requirements.
Combination research notes
Exercise-mimetic research compares AICAR with MOTS-c and endurance-training protocols.
Key targets & pathways
Research areas
Routes in research literature
Also known as
Handling cautions
- Light-sensitive
Stability & storage phases
| Phase | Condition | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Lyophilized / powder | Desiccated, room temperature or refrigerated per published stability data | Small-molecule powders are often hygroscopic or light-sensitive; store sealed with desiccant and record lot expiration on receipt. |
| Reconstituted / dissolved | Vehicle per formulation (aqueous, DMSO, or buffered solution) | Solution stability varies widely by solvent and pH; prepare fresh working stocks when literature reports rapid degradation. |
| Working aliquots | Frozen (−20 °C) or freshly prepared same-day | Aliquot in light-protected tubes when compounds are photolabile; avoid repeated thaw cycles on concentrated stocks. |
Stability windows are formulation-dependent — verify published data and your lab SOP.
Reconstitution reference table
| Vial (mg) | Diluent (mL) | mcg/mL | Units @ 100 mcg | Units @ 250 mcg | Units @ 500 mcg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 2 | 25000.0 | 0.4 | 1 | 2 |
| 100 | 2 | 50000.0 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 1 |
U-100 insulin syringe scale (100 units = 1 mL). Illustrative only — not dosing guidance.
Reconstitution steps
- Allow vial to reach room temperature (15–30 min)
- Swab rubber stopper with alcohol prep pad
- Draw calculated bacteriostatic water into syringe
- Inject diluent slowly down vial wall — do not spray directly onto cake
- Gently swirl until fully dissolved — do not shake vigorously
- Label with date, concentration, and diluent volume
- Refrigerate and use within your lab stability window
Often reconstituted with sterile water or per published protocol.
Laboratory record checklist
- Compound identity recorded in lab notebook (name, lot, preparation date)
- Analytical identity cross-checked against published sequence or structure
- Potency or concentration documented from analytical certificate when available
- Purity or HPLC data filed when provided with research material
- Appearance noted: intact lyophilized cake or uniform powder
- Sterility / endotoxin report archived when available
- Storage temperature applied immediately per published stability guidance