Buying Aicar

Buying AICAR for Laboratory Research: Essential Sourcing Directives

When buying AICAR (5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide, also known as Acadesine) for laboratory experimentation, principal investigators must source high-purity (>98%) research-grade material backed by lot-specific High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Mass Spectrometry (MS) documentation. AICAR is an analogue of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) utilized strictly in preclinical in vitro and animal models to investigate cellular energy homeostasis, metabolic signaling, and mitochondrial biogenesis.

To ensure reproducible assay results, research institutions must select suppliers that offer verified analytical reports, stringent endotoxin testing, and consistent lot-to-lot manufacturing standards. Inferior chemical batches containing synthesis byproducts or heavy metal contaminants compromise cellular assays and yield distorted metabolic data. Accessing fully documented compounds through specialized vendors like PX1 Research ensures that experimental models remain unconfounded by vehicle impurities or variable peptide concentration.

Biochemical Identity and AMPK Activation Mechanism

AICAR (CAS Number 2627-69-2) operates as a permeable nucleoside that, upon entry into the cytosol via nucleoside transporters, is phosphorylated by adenosine kinase into its active monophosphorylated nucleotide form, ZMP (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide). ZMP serves as an AMP mimetic, binding directly to the gamma subunit of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). This binding event induces a conformational change that promotes the phosphorylation of Threonine-172 on the AMPK alpha catalytic subunit by upstream kinases such as LKB1.

In vitro data indicate that activation of the AMPK pathway by AICAR simulates intracellular low-energy status without altering the absolute ATP-to-ADP ratio. Activated AMPK subsequently regulates downstream transcriptional networks, promoting catabolic ATP-generating processes while inhibiting anabolic ATP-consuming pathways. Researchers investigating cell culture energy dynamics utilize AICAR for research to measure changes in acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) phosphorylation, fatty acid oxidation rate, and glucose uptake mechanisms independently of physiological exercise or nutrient starvation protocols.

Overview of Preclinical Literature and Metabolic Research Findings

Preclinical studies suggest that sustained AMPK activation via AICAR administration influences multiple homeostatic systems across diverse experimental models. In rodent models of metabolic dysregulation, researchers have evaluated how AICAR exposure alters expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α). PGC-1α serves as the master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, and its upregulation correlates with increased mitochondrial density and respiratory capacity in skeletal muscle tissue assays.

Furthermore, animal study models demonstrate that AICAR-mediated AMPK activation facilitates non-insulin-dependent glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation to the plasma membrane. This mechanism allows investigators to explore insulin-independent pathways of cellular glucose uptake in damaged or insulin-resistant cell lines. In vitro assays evaluating endothelial function also document changes in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation following exposure to AICAR, providing a valuable model for vascular biology and ischemic stress response research.

Evaluating Sourcing Standards When Buying AICAR: COA, HPLC, and Mass Spec

Securing reliable data in cell culture and animal models requires rigorous verification of compound identity and purity before initiating research protocols. When buying AICAR, research teams should require complete analytical verification matching the specific batch delivered to the facility. A standard Certificate of Analysis (COA) must detail quantitative measurements across several key analytical disciplines.

First, Reverse-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) must confirm a chemical purity threshold of 98.0% or greater. The HPLC chromatogram should display a sharp, isolated main peak corresponding to AICAR, with total baseline noise and minor impurity peaks remaining below strict analytical thresholds. Second, Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS) must verify the exact molecular mass (258.21 g/mol for the free base or corresponding salt form), confirming the structural identity of the synthesized molecule.

Third, Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) testing is critical for ruling out bacterial endotoxin contamination. Endotoxin levels must remain strictly below 0.5 EU/mg, particularly for sensitive cell culture experiments or microinjection protocols where lipopolysaccharides (LPS) can trigger non-specific inflammatory signaling pathways. PX1 Research executes rigorous third-party testing via ISO 17025 accredited laboratories, providing full analytical transparency for every lot produced.

Comparative Analysis: AICAR and Related Metabolic Signaling Compounds

To properly frame experimental designs evaluating metabolic regulation, researchers frequently compare AICAR alongside other small molecule and peptide modulators of cellular energy pathways. While AICAR operates as a direct nucleoside mimetic of AMP, compounds like MOTS-c function as mitochondrial-derived peptides that translocate to the nucleus to regulate metabolic gene expression during cell stress.

Similarly, researchers studying circadian metabolic control and fatty acid oxidation often evaluate Rev-ErbA agonists such as SR9009 alongside PPAR-delta agonists like GW501516. While GW501516 selectively targets transcriptional activity at the nuclear receptor level to alter substrate utilization, AICAR acts upstream at the enzymatic level via direct kinase activation. Combining or contrasting these distinct classes within preclinical research models allows investigators to dissect overlapping pathways governing lipid metabolism, mitochondrial respiration, and endurance adaptation in vitro.

Laboratory Reconstitution and Buffer Preparation Protocols

Proper handling and solution preparation are vital to maintaining the structural integrity and biological activity of AICAR in laboratory settings. AICAR is typically supplied as a lyophilized, crystalline powder. The compound exhibits high solubility in aqueous solutions, including sterile water for injection, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4), and cell culture media, achieving concentrations up to 50 mg/mL depending on the solvent system.

For long-term stock solution storage, researchers often reconstitute AICAR in sterile, de-gassed dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or sterile physiological buffers under a laminar flow biosafety cabinet. Once dissolved, the stock solution should be passivated through a 0.22-micron polyethersulfone (PES) or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane filter to ensure sterility prior to addition to cell culture systems. Aliquoting stock solutions into single-use microcentrifuge tubes minimizes degradative thermal cycles, preserving compound stability over extended experimental timelines. Additional technical methodologies and compound handling guides can be explored within the PX1 peptide research hub.

Storage Parameters and Degradation Prevention

Lyophilized AICAR powder exhibits optimal stability when stored at -20°C in a desiccated environment protected from direct light exposure. Under these conditions, the unconstitutionally stable dry compound maintains specified purity parameters for extended periods. Exposure to ambient humidity or room-temperature environments can induce slow hydrolytic degradation, altering the quantitative concentration of active compound during assay execution.

Reconstituted liquid stock solutions of AICAR should be stored at -80°C for long-term preservation or -20°C for short-term experimental work (not exceeding 30 days). Repeated freeze-thaw cycles must be strictly avoided, as thermal fluctuations accelerate precipitation and chemical breakdown. Investigators conducting multi-week tissue culture assays should prepare diluted working solutions freshly on the day of treatment or store frozen aliquots dedicated to individual experimental time points.

Sourcing USA-Manufactured Research Compounds from PX1 Research

Selecting a domestic vendor for laboratory compounds ensures rapid supply chain turnarounds, strict regulatory oversight, and reliable lot consistency. PX1 Research manufactures research compounds within GMP-compliant facilities in the United States, adhering to standardized Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) protocols. Each production batch undergoes complete verification in ISO 17025 accredited testing facilities, ensuring verified chemical composition prior to distribution.

All orders placed with PX1 Research ship directly from our centralized distribution facilities in California and Arizona, offering same-day dispatch for orders finalized Monday through Friday before 12:00 PM PST. Institutional buyers requiring scaled quantities for high-throughput screening assays or multi-center animal models can access volume pricing and dedicated support via our wholesale portal. By maintaining stringent verification standards, PX1 Research remains a trusted partner for advanced biological investigation.