AICAR phosphate

Cell experiment:

HepG2 cells (5×105 cells) are plated in 6-well culture plate dishes and then are incubated in the serum-free media for 12 h before transfection. One microgram of plasmid is transfected with FuGENE6 Transfection Reagent. After 5 h of transfection, the culture media are removed and then media supplemented with or without AICAR (0.1-1.0 mM) are added to each well. The stimulation media are changed every 24 h[1].

Animal experiment:

Mice[2] Fourteen-week-old lean (Lepob/+ or Lepob/+) and ob/ob (Lepob/Lepob/) male mice are uesd. After the 14-day experimental treatment (24 h after AICAR injection, including a 12-h fast), the plantar flexor complex muscle is cleanly (tendon-to-tendon) excised from an anesthetized mouse breathing 4% isoflurane. The muscle is quickly weighed and then processed for histology or frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80°C. The anesthetized mice are killed by transection of the diaphragm and removal of the entire heart, after blood collection via needle puncture directly into the heart, while breathing 4% isoflurane. AICAR or saline (control) is injected subcutaneously into the lateral distal portion of the back. AICAR is administered at 0.5 mg*g body wt-1*day-1 one time per day for 14 days. Saline (control) is injected in volumes identical to those used for AICAR treatment in a manner identical to that of AICAR treatment. Body weight is measured prior to death. Rats[3] Male 5-week-old ZDF rats are either subcutaneously injected with a single dose of AICAR (0.5 mg/g body wt) or underwent a single bout of treadmill running (60 min, speed of 25 m/min at a 5% incline). Untreated ZDF rats serve as controls (n=5 in each group). One hour after the subcutaneous AICAR injection or immediately after treadmill running, rats are killed by cervical dislocation. To avoid any effect of muscle spasm and hypoxia, red and white gastrocnemius muscles are removed within seconds and immediately freeze clamped for later determination of AMPK activity.

References:

[1]. Nakamaru K, et al. AICAR, an activator of AMP-activated protein kinase, down-regulates the insulin receptor expression in HepG2 cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005 Mar 11;328(2):449-54
[2]. Drake JC, et al. AICAR treatment for 14 days normalizes obesity-induced dysregulation of TORC1 signaling and translational capacity in fasted skeletal muscle. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2010 Dec;299(6):R1546-54.
[3]. Pold R, et al. Long-term AICAR administration and exercise prevents diabetes in ZDF rats.Diabetes. 2005 Apr;54(4):928-34.