AICAR (Acadesine, AICA Riboside, NSC 105823) is a selective AMPK activator in both hepatocytes and adipocytes.
AICAR inhibits the synthesis of fatty acids and sterols and inactivates HMG-CoA reductase in rat hepatocytes at 0.5 mM, inhibits insulin-stimulated glucose and reduces GLUT4 translocation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
AICAR down-regulates the insulin receptor expression in HepG2 cells.
