title: Activation of AMPK and its Impact on Exercise Capacity.
abstract: Activation of the adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated kinase (AMPK) contributes to beneficial effects such as improvement of the hyperglycemic state in diabetes as well as reduction of obesity and inflammatory processes. Furthermore, stimulation of AMPK activity has been associated with increased exercise capacity. A study published in 2008, directly before the Olympic Games in Beijing, showed that the AMPK activator AICAR (5-amino-1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-imidazole-4-carboxamide) increased the running capacity of mice without any training and thus, prompted the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to include certain AMPK activators in the list of forbidden drugs. This raises the question as to whether all AMPK activators should be considered for registration or whether the increase in exercise performance is only associated with specific AMPK-activating substances. In this review, we intend to shed light on currently published AMPK-activating drugs, their working mechanisms, and their impact on body fitness.
authors.affiliation: Pharmazentrum Frankfurt/ZAFES, Institut für Klinische Pharmakologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. e.niederberger@em.uni-frankfurt.de.
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Niederberger
authors.affiliation: Pharmazentrum Frankfurt/ZAFES, Institut für Klinische Pharmakologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Tanya S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Pharmazentrum Frankfurt/ZAFES, Institut für Klinische Pharmakologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Otto Quintus
authors.initials: OQ
authors.lastname: Russe
authors.affiliation: Pharmazentrum Frankfurt/ZAFES, Institut für Klinische Pharmakologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Geisslinger
mesh_terms: D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000201:enzymology; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal
chemical_list: D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases