Research
Energy balance
The AMPK activator AICAR has significant off-target effects, including depletion of cellular ATP and inhibition of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, which can confound experimental results.
When interpreting research on AICAR, be aware that it may have off-target effects on mitochondrial function and ATP levels, which could confound results. This is primarily relevant for researchers and those evaluating scientific literature.
GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
Importantly, AMPK-independent effects of AICAR in the control of hepatic glucose uptake... phosphatidylcholine synthesis... and autophagic proteolysis... were also recently reported.
Why this rating
Supported by multiple studies cited in the review showing ATP depletion and mitochondrial effects.
Source
AMP‐activated protein kinase in the regulation of hepatic energy metabolism: from physiology to therapeutic perspectives
Benoı̂t Viollet et al. · Acta Physiologica · 2009
DOI 10.1111/j.1748-1716.2009.01970.x
narrative_reviewCited 482×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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