AICAR

AICAR, also called acadesine in research, is a well-known tool for studying how cells sense energy. Inside cells, AICAR can form a molecule that acts like AMP and turns on AMPK. AMPK works like a fuel gauge, helping cells respond when they need more energy. Researchers use AICAR to study glucose use, fat use, mitochondria, exercise-related signals, low-oxygen stress, and metabolic changes. Because AMPK is connected to so many parts of cell energy, AICAR has become a classic research compound for understanding how cells switch between storing energy and using it.