If you have been reading about PPAR delta and want a single page that covers the useful parts, this is it: definitions, context, how it is studied, and the questions that come up repeatedly.
Updated 2026-07-28. Numbers and descriptions here follow the published literature rather than marketing material.
Because cardarine is not an approved medicine, no pharmacopeial monograph defines its identity, purity, or storage requirements. Laboratories typically rely on in-house methods and reference standards when testing materials labeled as GW501516. Certificates of analysis may report purity and identity for a specific batch, but their scope varies and they do not guarantee safety or legal status. Independent verification can include high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and elemental analysis. The distinction between research chemical labeling and human use is significant because quality standards and oversight differ.
Cardarine can be detected in biological samples and product materials using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The method separates compounds by chromatography and identifies them by mass-to-charge transitions, allowing low-level detection in urine or blood. Sample preparation often involves enzymatic hydrolysis, solid-phase extraction, or protein precipitation. Certified reference materials and isotope-labeled internal standards improve quantification. Detection windows depend on metabolism, matrix, and assay sensitivity, so no single universal window applies.
PPARδ is a nuclear receptor that influences transcription of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation, lipid transport, and energy homeostasis. GW501516 binds and activates this receptor with high selectivity relative to PPARα and PPARγ in laboratory assays. Activation alters expression of target genes in skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissue in animal models. The exact clinical consequences of these changes in humans remain incompletely characterized, and observed effects in animals do not establish therapeutic benefit or safety.
Published studies have examined GW501516 in animal models of obesity, insulin resistance, and exercise endurance. Early human trials reportedly ended, and development was discontinued after preclinical findings raised concerns about cancer in some rodent studies. Regulatory agencies have not approved cardarine for any medical use. Its availability through non-pharmaceutical channels raises questions about identity, purity, and legal status that are separate from its laboratory pharmacology. Those questions are often addressed through analytical testing rather than assumptions about product labels.
Cardarine is a common name for GW501516, also GW-1516, a synthetic compound developed as a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ) agonist. It belongs to a class of agents that modulate gene transcription related to lipid and energy metabolism. The compound was studied in preclinical and early clinical research for metabolic and cardiovascular conditions, but it did not progress to approved therapeutic use. Its name appears in fitness and sports contexts despite not being approved as a drug.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| WADA classification | S4 Hormone and Metabolic Modulators | Prohibited at all times in sport. |
| Drug approval status | Not approved in major jurisdictions | No accepted therapeutic indication. |
| Common detection method | LC-MS/MS | Detects parent compound and metabolites. |
| Typical test matrix | Urine or blood | Urine is common in anti-doping testing. |
| Product labeling | Research chemical or supplement | Often not independently verified. |
GW501516 acts as an agonist at peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta, a nuclear receptor involved in transcription of genes related to lipid handling and energy use. Activation of PPARδ can shift skeletal muscle toward greater fatty acid oxidation in animal models, which is one reason it drew interest for metabolic disease and exercise research. The exact downstream effects depend on tissue, species, dose, and duration. Human data are sparse, so many proposed benefits remain hypotheses rather than established clinical outcomes.
Laboratory studies have examined GW501516 in cell cultures and rodents for conditions such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and obesity. Some trials in humans were initiated, but development was discontinued after preclinical findings raised concerns about cancer in certain models. Those findings do not prove that the compound causes cancer in people, but they contributed to regulatory caution. Later reviews often describe the evidence as preliminary and insufficient for assessing long-term safety.
Sporting authorities added GW501516 to prohibited lists after it appeared in athlete samples and online markets. The World Anti-Doping Agency classifies it as a hormone and metabolic modulator, and its use can lead to an anti-doping rule violation. Some early laboratory work suggested effects on fatty acid oxidation and endurance-related metabolism in animals, but those findings do not establish safe or effective use in people. Reports of adverse events in humans are scarce and often anecdotal, which complicates risk assessment.
Legal status varies by country. In some places, cardarine is controlled under medicines or psychoactive substances laws; in others, it may be sold with minimal oversight as a research chemical. Customs agencies have intercepted shipments, and several national health agencies have issued warnings about products marketed for bodybuilding or performance enhancement. The lack of a standardized pharmaceutical supply means identity, purity, and contamination levels can differ widely between samples. These factors make cardarine a regulatory and public health concern rather than a conventional prescription drug.
Cardarine is a common name for GW501516, a synthetic compound first described in the 1990s as a selective agonist of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta. It was studied in preclinical models for metabolic and cardiovascular conditions, but it has not been approved as a medicine in the United States, Europe, or other major jurisdictions. Retail products labeled as cardarine are generally research chemicals or supplements, not pharmaceutical formulations. Because human safety and efficacy data remain limited, regulatory agencies treat it as an unapproved substance rather than a therapeutic product.
Laboratory studies indicate that GW501516 activates PPARδ, a nuclear receptor involved in fatty acid oxidation and energy metabolism. In rodent experiments, treated animals often showed increased endurance and reduced fat mass. These effects were observed under controlled conditions and do not establish safe or effective use in humans. The exact dose-response relationship in humans remains poorly characterized. Species differences in metabolism can affect how results translate across animals and people.
Safety concerns emerged from long-term animal studies. In rodents given the compound for extended periods, researchers found an increased incidence of certain cancers, including liver and bladder tumors. These findings contributed to the discontinuation of clinical development. Whether similar risks apply to short-term or low-level exposure in humans is not established, and controlled human safety data are limited. The relevance of high-dose rodent carcinogenicity findings to human use remains a subject of debate.
Human trials of GW501516 were small and short in duration. They examined lipid levels, glucose handling, and other metabolic markers, but the programs were halted after the animal cancer findings. No approved therapeutic product exists, and published human data are insufficient for establishing long-term safety. Reports of use for athletic performance come mainly from non-clinical settings and cannot be verified through controlled trials. Independent testing of products sold as cardarine has found inconsistent purity and labeling.
IUPAC definition "secular equilibrium", IUPAC definition (IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology 2nd Edition, 1997) (in English) Radioactive Equilibrium, EPA definition Radioactive Equilibrium. An equilibrium as old as the Earth Archived 2019-07-28 at the Wayback Machine, radioactivity.eu.com, IN2P3, EDP Science
What is behavior? Baby don't ask me, don't ask me, no more at Earthling Nature. behaviorinformatics.org Links to review articles by Eric Turkheimer and co-authors on behavior research Links to IJCAI2013 tutorial on behavior informatics and computing
The two substrates of this enzyme are 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate and oxidised nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). Its products are 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate, reduced NADH, and a proton. This enzyme belongs to the family of oxidoreductases, specifically those acting on the CH-NH group of donors with NAD+ or NADP+ as acceptor. The systematic name of this enzyme class is 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate:NAD+ oxidoreductase. This enzyme is also called methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (NAD+). This enzyme participates in one carbon pool by folate.
Emerson University, Multan (formerly Government Emerson College, Multan) is a public-sector university in Multan, Punjab, Pakistan. The institution traces its origins to 1920 and was reconstituted as a degree-awarding university in 2021 under the Emerson University Multan Act 2021 (Punjab Act VIII of 2021).
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
RGD and other bioactive ligands can be presented on the surface of a biomaterial in a number of different spatial arrangements, and it has been demonstrated that these arrangements have a significant impact on cell behavior. In self-assembled monolayers, it was found that adhesion and proliferation of both human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) increased as a function of RGD peptide density. These studies also showed that RGD density could change integrin expression, which has been postulated to enable control of biochemical signaling pathways. Further investigation of MSCs on self-assembled monolayers showed that modulating RGD density and the affinity of RGD for αvβ3 (through use of linear and cyclized RGD) could be used to control the differentiation of MSCs. The effect of RGD presentation on cells in 3D biomaterials, which more accurately replicate the in vivo environment, has also been evaluated. In degradable polyethylene glycol hydrogels, the length of capillary-like structures formed by HUVECs was directly proportional to the density of RGD in the hydrogel. Additionally, studies in nano-patterning have shown that, whereas an increase in global RGD density increases cell adhesion strength until saturation, an increase in local (mico/nano-scale) RGD density does not follow this trend.
The coding region of HROB consists of 2699 base pairs and encodes for a protein that is 647 amino acids long. Per NCBI AceView, the transcription of HROB produces nine alternatively spliced mRNAs and 17 distinct gt-ag introns Of these nine alternatively spliced variants four distinct protein products are formed. The molecular weight of HROB is 69 kilodaltons. The isoelectric point is 5.85. The protein sequence of HROB is both Proline and Glutamine rich, while low in Tyrosine. Aside from Proline, Glutamine, and Tyrosine, there exists a relatively even distribution of amino acids in the protein product of HROB. The protein product of HROB has been shown to target the nucleus, with minor localization in the cytoplasm. MCM8, MCM9 — HROB interacts with the MCM8-MCM9 helicase complex, which is involved in DNA repair. In particular, it helps recruit the complex to areas of damaged DNA. RPA1 — HROB interacts with the heterotrimeric RPA complex via its interaction with RPA1. This complex helps stabilize DNA while it’s being repaired.
Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) is an alpha-glucan rich nutritional supplement produced from shiitake (Lentinula edodes). The product is a subject of research as a potential anti-cancer agent. AHCC is a popular alternative medicine in Japan. AHCC is a registered trademark of and manufactured by Amino Up Co., Ltd. in Sapporo City, Hokkaido, Japan. AHCC was developed by Amino Up Co., LTD. and Toshihiko Okamoto (School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo) in 1989. Polysaccharides form a large part of the composition of AHCC. These include beta-glucan (β-glucan) and partially acylated α-glucan. Partially acylated α-glucan, produced by the patented long term culturing process, is unique to AHCC. Approximately 20% of the make up of AHCC is α-glucans. Glucans are saccharides, of which some are known to have immune stimulating effects.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Anti-doping laboratories typically use LC-MS/MS to detect GW501516 and its metabolites in urine. The method is sensitive and can identify the compound at low concentrations. Detection depends on sample timing, metabolism, and the specific assay.
Legality varies by country and context. It lacks marketing approval as a medicine in major countries. Sports organizations prohibit its use at all times.
A certificate of analysis may report identity, purity, and testing methods for a specific batch. It does not guarantee safety or legal status. Independent verification can confirm whether the material matches the label.
Cardarine is commonly known as GW501516 or GW-1516. These names refer to the same synthetic compound. It is not a brand-name approved medicine.