With AICAR, Can You Buy Exercise in a Pill?

The ability to buy exercise in a pill form is near -- relatively speaking. Despite short notice, Olympics' no-doping committees are preparing to test athletes for AICAR, a chemical shown to increase muscle endurance, even without exercise. Published in the July 31 online issue of Cell, researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies found that AICAR, administered daily for four weeks, increased the endurance of sedentary mice by 44 percent. While it may be several years before average consumers can buy AICAR commercially, non-FDA approved access is expected.

Study co-author and developmental biologist Ronald Evans tells Scientific American that AICAR is "tricking the muscle into 'believing' it's been exercised daily," and that the study "proves you can have a pharmacologic equivalent to exercise."

How is exercise in a pill form possible?

In summary, endurance training produces metabolic and structural changes in the muscles. This study shows that AICAR can produce muscle reformation --a state influenced by gene expression (or activation), increased cellular energy and muscle fiber composition.

Two types of muscle exist: Type 1 (slow-twitch) and Type 2 (fast-twitch). Type 1 burns more fat (oxidizes fatty acids), is more resistant to fatigue -- due to an abundance of mitrochondria producing cellular energy -- and increases with endurance training.

Type 2 muscle fibers contain fewer mitrochondria, fatigues more easily, burns glucose and is commonly found in obese and sedentary individuals.

Science Daily, among other sources provided, provides a digestible in-depth explanation of the way AICAR further works at the cellular and metabolic level to achieve increased muscle endurance.

How much will the exercise pill cost?

The so-called "exercise pill" will, at least initially, be out-of-reach for most exercise-challenged individuals.

For comparative analysis only, this writer conducted a patent search on AICAR. The results included a recommended dosage range of 5 mg. to 100 mg. / per kg / per day, taken 3 times a week, for the purpose of studying metabolic disease or insulin resistance in humans.

For a 140 pound person, this equates to an AICAR dosage of 315 to 3150 mg. a day.

A cursory search for the chemical shows that lab-quality AICAR is sold for approximately $100 per a 44 mg vile.

With adjustments for pharmaceutical quality, mass production and non-medical dosing, the monthly cost of AICAR is rumored to be in the thousands for daily dosing. Conversely, the costs for the medical application of AICAR may be reasonable, especially if the compound reduces complications for ill or injured patients unable to exercise.

Professional athletes and AICAR

Despite the acquisition hurdles, the World Anti-Doping Association is concerned. Meanwhile, Dr. Evans has developed both urine and blood AICAR detection tests that may see the Summer 2008 Olympics.

While AICAR has been studied in humans, long-term safety and dosing for athletes has not been established. The 4-week Sulk Institute AICAR study compares to approximately three years worth of human consumption.

Can you buy the exercise pill?

Research on the "exercise in a pill" continues with much enthusiasm, but note that scams may parlay off of the success of the new development. Consequently, don't expect to find legitimate AICAR in a bottle any time soon.

SOURCES
Cell -http://www.cell.com/content/article/fulltext?uid=PIIS0092867408008386
AICAR Google Patent Search -http://www.google.com/patents?id=jS2JAAAAEBAJ&dq=AICAR
Science Daily -http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080731135918.htm
CellSignal Laboratory -http://www.cellsignal.com/products/9944.html
Clinical Trials.gov-http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00168519?term=AICAR&rank=2
AICAR How much will it cost?" Research by author, designed for informational use only.