What is Cardarine (GW-501516)?
Cardarine, also known as GW-501516, is a PPARδ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta) agonist — not technically a SARM, though it is often grouped with them in research literature. It was originally developed by GlaxoSmithKline and Ligand Pharmaceuticals in the 1990s to research metabolic and cardiovascular conditions.
Research into Cardarine was discontinued after preclinical studies in rodents showed tumour development at high doses. Despite this, it remains widely studied in research contexts due to its unique metabolic effects. For research purposes only.
⚠ Research Purposes Only: GW-501516 (Cardarine) is not approved for human use by the FDA, MHRA, or any other regulatory body. GlaxoSmithKline halted development in 2007 due to preclinical carcinogenicity findings.
Cardarine Research Data
| Parameter | Research Finding |
|---|---|
| Compound Class | PPARδ Agonist (not a SARM) |
| Half-Life | ~16–24 hours (estimated) |
| Research Area | Fat oxidation, endurance, lipid metabolism |
| Androgenic Activity | None (non-hormonal) |
| Suppression | No HPTA suppression reported |
| Development Status | Discontinued (GSK, 2007) |
Why Researchers Study Cardarine
Cardarine's primary area of research interest is metabolic function. By activating PPARδ receptors, it has been shown in animal models to:
- Increase fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle
- Improve endurance markers in rodent treadmill studies
- Favourably shift lipid profiles (raise HDL, lower LDL in some models)
- Reduce stored body fat in obese mouse models
Unlike SARMs, Cardarine does not interact with androgen receptors, meaning it has no observed hormonal effects or HPTA suppression in research. This makes it of interest in studies examining non-hormonal metabolic pathways.
Important Safety Note for Researchers
The key reason GSK discontinued GW-501516 was the observation of rapid cancer cell growth across multiple organ types in rodent studies at doses studied over longer durations. These findings at preclinical stage resulted in the programme being terminated. Any research involving this compound must account for this toxicology data.
Cardarine and PCT
Because Cardarine is non-hormonal and does not suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, post-cycle therapy research compounds are generally not studied alongside it in metabolic research protocols. This distinguishes it from SARMs like RAD-140 or Ostarine.
🔬 Where to Source Cardarine GW-501516 for Research (USA & UK)
For USA and UK researchers, PureRawz stocks Cardarine GW-501516 with third-party certificates of analysis. All products are for research purposes only and not approved for human consumption.
Visit PureRawz →⚠ Affiliate link — use code Tomjunkie for 20% off. Research purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions
No — Cardarine (GW-501516) is a PPARδ agonist, not a SARM. It does not bind to androgen receptors. It is often grouped with SARMs in research discussions due to its use in similar research contexts.
GlaxoSmithKline discontinued GW-501516 development in 2007 after preclinical rodent studies showed tumour development. For research purposes only — not approved for human use.
No. Cardarine is non-hormonal and does not interact with androgen receptors, so HPTA suppression is not expected. PCT compounds are not typically studied alongside it.
PureRawz is a widely used vendor for GW-501516 with HPLC certificates of analysis. All products are for research purposes only.