What is GW-501516 (Cardarine)?

GW-501516 (known chemically as Cardarine, Endurobol, or GSK-516) is a synthetic, high-affinity small-molecule agonist that selectively targets the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ). Originally codeveloped in the 1990s by GlaxoSmithKline and Ligand Pharmaceuticals to investigate metabolic and cardiovascular pathology, GW-501516 binds the PPARδ ligand-binding domain with sub-nanomolar affinity (EC₅₀ = 1 nM), displaying over 1,000-fold selectivity over PPARα and PPARγ receptor subtypes.

When searching for cardarine for sale or looking to buy gw 501516 online, researchers frequently encounter misclassifications labeling Cardarine as a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM) or under queries like cardarine peptide for sale. However, GW-501516 possesses zero androgen receptor binding affinity and contains no amino acid peptide bonds, functioning exclusively as a non-hormonal nuclear receptor transcription factor ligand.

Analytical batch-tested for high chemical purity at Modern Aminos—recognized across independent laboratories as the best place to buy cardarine—GW-501516 is supplied in three versatile laboratory formats:

30MG/ML aqueous liquid solution in a 30ML Amber bottle with a 1mL precision dropper
10MG dry-fill solid oral capsules (60 units per bottle)
50MG/ML MCT oil-based solution vial

Laboratories evaluating cellular substrate switching, mitochondrial oxidation, and lipid clearance utilize GW-501516 alongside related metabolic modulators on the site, such as GW-0742, SR-9009, and SLU-PP-332.

Chemical and Molecular Data

Compound Name	GW-501516 (Cardarine / Endurobol)
Quantity / Formats Offered	30MG/ML Aqueous Dropper (30ML) \| 10MG Dry-Fill Capsules (60 Count) \| 50MG/ML MCT Oil Solution (10ML)
Synonyms / Alt Names	Cardarine, Endurobol, GSK-516, GW-1516, GW 501516, GW 50156
CAS Number	317318-70-0
Chemical Formula	C₂₁H₁₈F₃NO₃S₂
Molecular Weight	453.50 g/mol
IUPAC Name	{2-methyl-4-[({4-methyl-2-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1,3-thiazol-5-yl}methyl)sulfanyl]phenoxy}acetic acid
InChIKey	YDBLKRPLXZNVNB-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES Code	`CC1=C(C=CC(=C1)SCC2=C(N=C(S2)C3=CC=C(C=C3)C(F)(F)F)C)OCC(=O)O`

What are the Mechanisms of Action?

The biochemical pathways and cellular targets of GW-501516 in laboratory research include:

Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Delta (PPARδ) Agonism: GW-501516 selectively binds the ligand-binding domain of the nuclear receptor PPARδ. Upon binding, it induces a conformational shift that recruits the Retinoid X Receptor (RXR) heterodimer, activating peroxisome proliferator response elements (PPRE) on target promoter genes.
PGC-1α Coactivation & Skeletal Muscle Beta-Oxidation: The PPARδ/RXR complex recruits peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α). This transcriptional cascade upregulates essential fatty acid handling enzymes—including Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1), Fatty Acid Translocase (FAT/CD36), and Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase 4 (PDK4)—shifting myocyte metabolism toward accelerated lipid beta-oxidation.
Glycogen Sparing & AMPK Crosstalk: In skeletal muscle cell cultures, Cardarine-mediated fatty acid oxidation spares intracellular glycogen reserves without causing systemic glucose starvation. It activates downstream AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathways, enhancing basal glucose uptake capacity and mitochondrial respiratory chain output.

What do Preclinical & Academic Studies Show for Cardarine?

When evaluating research efficacy and published scientific literature for gw501516 for sale across reference databases:

Structural & Solid-Form Characterization (PMC): Comprehensive analytical investigations cataloged in PMC (PMC11859518) document the X-ray powder diffraction, thermal stability, and solid-state encapsulation kinetics of GW-501516, confirming high chemical stability across lipophilic carriers and organic solvent matrices.
Lipid Catabolism and Oxidative Capacity (ScienceDirect): Landmark metabolic assays published in ScienceDirect demonstrate that GW-501516 activates PPARδ gene programs in skeletal muscle cultures, driving type I slow-twitch oxidative muscle fiber conversion and increasing HDL-mediated reverse cholesterol transport in cell models.
Chemical Profiling & Identification (PubChem): Official structural characterization maintained on PubChem verifies the molecular mass (453.50 g/mol), trifluoromethyl-thiazole core, and HPLC retention profiles of CAS 317318-70-0.

Comparative Analysis & Product Formats

To evaluate formulation parameters, binding affinities, and metabolic pathways, researchers compare GW-501516 against alternative formats and nuclear receptor agonists:

Liquid Cardarine vs Oil-based Cardarine vs Dry-Fill Cardarine

When selecting between available Cardarine formats at Modern Aminos, researchers match solvent matrices to specific assay requirements:

Liquid Cardarine (Aqueous Solution): Formulated as a 30MG/ML aqueous liquid in a 30ML Amber bottle with a 1mL precision dropper. Ideal for rapid volumetric dispensing into cell culture media or aqueous buffer systems without requiring heat or organic co-solvents.
Oil-Based Cardarine (MCT Oil Solution): Formulated as a high-density 50MG/ML solution dissolved in Medium-Chain Triglyceride (MCT) oil. Designed for lipophilic lipid membrane permeability assays and extended-release cell culture models where hydrophobic stability is paramount.
Dry-Fill Cardarine (Oral Capsules): Formulated as pre-measured 10MG solid dry-fill capsules (60 units per bottle). Provides exact solid-state unit-mass control for analytical weighing, dissolving into custom organic solvent matrices, or dry benchtop storage.

GW-0742 vs GW-501516

Both GW-0742 and GW-501516 (Cardarine) are highly selective PPARδ agonists. GW-0742 is a fluorinated structural analog that exhibits sub-nanomolar binding affinity (EC₅₀ = 0.3 nM), making it slightly more potent in acute in vitro binding assays. However, GW-501516 (EC₅₀ = 1 nM) possesses a significantly larger body of published literature documenting long-term PGC-1α coactivation, making it the preferred gold-standard reference compound for baseline metabolic profiling.

SR-9009 vs Cardarine (GW-501516)

While both compounds are researched as exercise mimetics, their molecular targets are distinct:

Cardarine (GW-501516): Directly activates the PPARδ nuclear receptor to recruit PGC-1α, driving skeletal muscle fatty acid beta-oxidation, PDK4 expression, and glucose-sparing pathways.
SR-9009 (Stenabolic): Functions as a Rev-Erbα and Rev-Erbβ nuclear receptor agonist. It regulates circadian rhythm gene networks, enhances basal mitochondrial density, and suppresses hepatic lipogenesis through Rev-Erb-dependent transcriptional repression.

SLU-PP-332 vs GW-501516 (Cardarine)

SLU-PP-332 represents a novel class of pan-agonists targeting Estrogen-Related Receptors (ERRα, ERRβ, ERRγ). While GW-501516 targets the PPARδ pathway to stimulate fatty acid transport, SLU-PP-332 directly activates ERR nuclear receptors to drive complex oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) machinery and type IIa oxidative muscle fiber conversion. Researchers frequently compare both compounds to evaluate crosstalk between PPARδ and ERR signaling cascades.

Compound / Reference	Primary Target Class	Core Mechanism of Action	Research Focus & Profile
GW-501516 (Cardarine)	PPARδ Selective Agonist	Recruits PGC-1α to upregulate skeletal muscle fatty acid beta-oxidation and PDK4 expression	Gold-standard research reference for PPARδ-driven lipid catabolism, endurance gene expression, and glucose sparing
GW-0742	PPARδ High-Affinity Agonist	Binds PPARδ with sub-nanomolar potency (EC₅₀ = 0.3 nM), featuring a fluorinated structural modification	Evaluates rapid PPARδ binding kinetics, acute lipid oxidation, and comparative tissue responses
SR-9009 (Stenabolic)	Rev-Erbα / Rev-Erbβ Agonist	Binds Rev-Erb nuclear receptors to modulate circadian metabolic gene expression and mitochondrial density	Focuses on circadian rhythm regulation, basal metabolic rate elevation, and macrophage inflammatory suppression
SLU-PP-332	Pan-ERR Agonist (ERRα, ERRβ, ERRγ)	Directly activates Estrogen-Related Receptors to stimulate PGC-1α and OXPHOS respiratory complexes	Focuses on exercise transcription mimetics, type IIa oxidative muscle fiber conversion, and mitochondrial biogenesis

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Modern Aminos a reliable place to buy GW-501516?

Yes, Modern Aminos is widely recognized as the premier destination when laboratories seek to buy cardarine or search for cardarine buy online options. Every batch of GW-501516 undergoes strict third-party analytical testing (including HPLC and Mass Spectrometry) to verify minimum 98%+ purity, correct molecular mass (453.50 g/mol), and complete absence of unreacted synthesis precursors or heavy metals.

2. What is the mechanism of Cardarine as a selective PPARδ agonist?

GW-501516 is a selective agonist of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ). It binds with high affinity (EC₅₀ = 1 nM) to recruit PGC-1α, driving transcription of genes governing fatty acid transport (FAT/CD36) and mitochondrial beta-oxidation (CPT-1, PDK4) in skeletal muscle cell models.

3. Why is Cardarine often mislabeled when researchers search for “cardarine sarm for sale” or “cardarine peptide for sale”?

Despite search terms like “cardarine sarm for sale” or “cardarine peptide for sale”, Cardarine is neither a SARM nor a peptide. It possesses zero binding affinity for androgen receptors and contains no peptide bonds. It is classified chemically as a small-molecule thiazole nuclear receptor ligand that operates strictly through PPARδ metabolic pathways.

4. What are the key operational differences between liquid cardarine, oil-based solutions, and dry-fill capsules?

Modern Aminos offers cardarine liquid (30MG/ML aqueous solution in a 30ML dropper bottle) for rapid volumetric dispensing into water-based cell culture media; 50MG/ML MCT oil-based solution for lipophilic membrane assays; and 10MG dry-fill solid oral capsules (60 count) for precise solid unit-mass benchtop weighing.

5. How does GW-501516 modulate fatty acid beta-oxidation and PGC-1α coactivation?

Upon receptor binding, GW-501516 recruits PGC-1α to increase transcription of Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) and Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase 4 (PDK4). This causes myocytes to preferentially burn fatty acids for ATP generation rather than glucose, sparing glycogen reserves.

6. What is the cardarine gw 50156 price structure and where to buy cardarine online safely?

At Modern Aminos, researchers can buy gw 501516 online with transparent pricing: 30MG/ML aqueous liquid dropper, 10MG dry-fill capsules, and 50MG/ML MCT oil solution. When evaluating where to buy cardarine or searching gw 50156 for sale, Modern Aminos provides verified COAs and fast domestic shipping.

7. How does GW-501516 compare to GW-0742 and pan-ERR agonists like SLU-PP-332?

GW-0742 is a fluorinated analog with sub-nanomolar PPARδ affinity (EC₅₀ = 0.3 nM), whereas GW-501516 (EC₅₀ = 1 nM) is the most widely cited reference standard. SLU-PP-332 operates through an entirely separate pathway, binding Estrogen-Related Receptors (ERRα/β/γ) to stimulate mitochondrial OXPHOS complexes.

8. What are the proper storage and stability parameters for GW-501516 research reagents?

Liquid dropper bottles, MCT oil vials, and capsule containers should be stored tightly sealed in a cool, dry environment (15°C to 25°C) away from direct sunlight, excess heat, and humidity. Stored under controlled laboratory conditions, GW-501516 maintains full chemical stability throughout its designated shelf life.

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The products offered by Modern Aminos are intended strictly for laboratory research purposes only and are sold exclusively to qualified professionals, institutions, and entities. These products are not for human consumption, veterinary use, or any other application involving living organisms, including but not limited to diagnostic, therapeutic, or recreational purposes.

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You are a qualified professional or entity with the necessary knowledge, training, and facilities to handle chemical reagents safely and appropriately.
You will use this product in full compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

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