By converting fast-twitch muscle fibers into more energy-efficient, fat-burning slow-twitch fibers, we can see dramatic improvements in performance during endurance-type sports.
Description
What is AICAR?
AICAR, also known as 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide nucleoside, is an AMP-activated protein kinase agonist. AICAR (5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide nucleoside) is endogenously produced from intermediates in the purine biosynthetic pathway.
In human athletes, urine [AICAR] correlates with sex (male > female), season of exercise (in-competition > out-of-competition), and sport (weightlifting > football). Plasma AICAR is hypothesized to increase with exercise. An LC-MS-MS method was developed to quantify AICAR in plasma collected from racehorses immediately before and after racing.
After racing, plasma AICAR levels were elevated in the majority of horses, independent of age, sex, or performance in the group. After intravenous administration of AICAR, mean arterial blood pressure decreased dramatically despite compensatory increases in cardiac output and heart rate.
Exercise-induced increases in AICAR may promote vasodilation. This research was supported by the Horse Racing Drug and Testing Alliance, the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission, the Pennsylvania Harness Riders Association, the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, and the Pennsylvania Riders Benevolent and Protective Association. Please contact us to speak with our experts and learn more details about AICAR.