This is a working overview of WADA, written for readers who want more than a one-paragraph summary but less than a textbook.
This page was last updated on 2026-06-13 and is reviewed periodically as new material appears.
GW501516 acts on PPARδ, a nuclear receptor that helps regulate fatty acid oxidation and energy homeostasis. In animal studies, activation of this receptor was associated with increased endurance and changes in lipid metabolism. Human trials examined effects on blood lipids and other metabolic markers, but the compound did not advance to approval. Rodent studies later reported tumors in multiple tissues at doses used in those experiments. Whether those findings translate to human risk remains uncertain, and the clinical relevance of the animal data is still debated.
Regulatory bodies treat GW501516 as a prohibited substance in competitive sport. The World Anti-Doping Agency added it to the prohibited list, and it falls under classes covering metabolic modulators and hormone-related agents. It is not approved by drug regulators for human use, and it is not a lawful dietary supplement. Products sold under the cardarine name may contain unlisted ingredients or different compounds. Because no approved product exists, quality and identity are not guaranteed by pharmaceutical manufacturing standards.
Cardarine is a common name for the investigational chemical GW501516, also written GW-1516. It was developed as a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta agonist for metabolic conditions such as dyslipidemia. Early research focused on lipid handling and energy use in skeletal muscle and other tissues. The compound was never approved as a medicine. In public discussion, it is often grouped with performance-enhancing substances, although its receptor target differs from that of anabolic steroids or selective androgen receptor modulators. Regulatory and health authorities have issued warnings about its use.
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.
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.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Common name | Cardarine | Common internet and media name. |
| Research code | GW501516 | Also written GW-1516. |
| Drug class | PPARδ agonist | Not a selective androgen receptor modulator. |
| Development status | Discontinued | Clinical development halted after rodent cancer findings. |
| Regulatory status | Prohibited in sport | Listed by WADA; not approved as medicine. |
Cardarine is a synthetic compound also known as GW501516, GW-501516, and sometimes endurobol. It was developed as a selective agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta, a nuclear receptor involved in fatty acid oxidation and energy metabolism. The compound was studied in preclinical models for metabolic and cardiovascular conditions, but it did not become a marketed human medicine. In regulatory and anti-doping contexts, it is treated as a prohibited substance rather than a licensed medicine.
The pharmacological interest in cardarine centers on PPARδ activation and its downstream effects on lipid handling and mitochondrial function. In animal studies, PPARδ agonists have been associated with changes in exercise endurance and fatty acid utilization, though results vary by model and protocol. Human data remain sparse, and the absence of large controlled trials limits conclusions about efficacy. Researchers often describe the compound as a tool for probing PPARδ biology rather than a proven therapeutic agent.
Safety discussions about cardarine frequently cite rodent carcinogenicity findings reported in the 2000s. In those studies, treated animals developed tumors at multiple sites, leading sponsors to discontinue clinical development. The relevance of these findings to humans has not been resolved, but they are a major reason the compound is not approved. Current literature emphasizes uncertainty about long-term effects and the risks of unregulated use. Regulators and health agencies have not established a safe human exposure level.
Anti-doping laboratories detect GW501516 and its metabolites using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Urine is the most common matrix, though blood and dried blood spots may also be used in some programs. Detection depends on factors such as dose, timing, metabolism, and the sensitivity of the assay. Published methods describe limits of detection in the low nanogram per milliliter range for related compounds. Exact detection windows are not fixed for all situations and remain an area of ongoing study.
Products sold as cardarine have been found to contain incorrect compounds, variable amounts, or no active ingredient at all. Independent testing is required to verify identity and purity. Common analytical approaches include high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance for structural confirmation. These methods can distinguish GW501516 from related PPAR agonists and from unrelated steroids. For regulators and researchers, such verification is central to interpreting both biological results and adverse event reports.
Cardarine is frequently described as a fat-burning or endurance-enhancing supplement, but these claims exceed the available evidence. The compound is not a hormone, steroid, or selective androgen receptor modulator. Research articles discuss it as a tool compound for studying PPARδ biology, while anti-doping literature focuses on its abuse and detection. Quality of unapproved products is uncertain, and independent analyses have found impurities or incorrect labeling. Open questions include whether human cancer risk resembles that seen in rodents and how often non-athletes use the substance.
Cardarine has no approved therapeutic indication and is not marketed as a medicine. The World Anti-Doping Agency lists GW501516 as a prohibited substance at all times, covering both in-competition and out-of-competition periods. National laws vary: some countries treat it as an unapproved drug subject to import controls, while others have specific restrictions on sale for human consumption. It is often sold as a research chemical, a label that does not imply safety or legality. Enforcement actions have targeted online vendors and shipments.
Anti-doping laboratories identify GW501516 and related metabolites using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Urine is the most common matrix, though blood and dried blood spots may also be analyzed. The method targets the parent compound and phase I and phase II metabolites, which extend the detection window. Because the substance is prohibited at all times, athletes can be tested outside competition. Detection limits and windows depend on the assay, sample type, and individual metabolism.
Autoantibody testing: Many autoimmune diseases are characterized by the presence of autoantibodies. Blood tests can identify these antibodies, which are directed against the body's own tissues. For example, antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing is commonly used in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases. Complete Blood Count: Blood counts can provide valuable information about the number and characteristics of different blood cells, which can be affected in some autoimmune diseases. C-Reactive Protein and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate: These tests measure the levels of inflammation in the body, which is often elevated in autoimmune disorders. Organ-specific tests: Certain autoimmune diseases target specific organs, so tests to evaluate the function of these organs can aid in diagnosis. For example, thyroid function tests are used in diagnosing autoimmune thyroid disorders, while a biopsy can diagnose coeliac disease by identifying damage to the small intestine.
== Overview == FACIT collagens have interruptions in their triple helical structure. They are involved in assembling fibrillar collagens and other ECM components. Interruptions in the triple helical structure of FACIT collagens occur due to the presence of non-triple helical domains within the collagen molecule. These collagens are typically found alongside fibrillar collagens in various tissues and organs. Fibril-associated collagens with interrupted triple helices (FACIT collagens) are a subset of collagens that contribute to the organization and stabilization of the extracellular matrix (ECM). These collagens are typically found alongside fibrillar collagens in various tissues and organs. These domains vary in length and composition and provide flexibility and additional binding sites for other components of the extracellular matrix. There are eight known types of FACIT collagens: collagens IX, XII, XIV, XVI, XIX, XXI, and XXII. The general FACIT collagen structure contains short triple helical COL domains (COL1, COL2, COL3) interrupted by NC domains with an N-terminal NC domain facing toward the interfibrillar space. FACIT collagen is found in various tissue areas to modulate the surface properties of collagen fibrils and generate tissue-specific three-dimensional patterns in the extracellular matrix. For example, collagen XIV connects the fibrillar networks of the cartilage and skin, and XII is found in connective tissues, particularly at the tendons, ligaments, and periodontium.
== Further reading == Nuclides and Isotopes – 14th Edition, GE Nuclear Energy, 1989. Fioni, Gabriele; Cribier, Michel & Marie, Frédéric. "Can the minor actinide, americium-241, be transmuted by thermal neutrons?". Commissariat à l'énergie atomique. Archived from the original on 11 November 2007. Stwertka, Albert (1999). A Guide to the Elements. Oxford University Press, USA. ISBN 978-0-19-508083-4.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
== Prognosis == Symptoms of fibromyalgia are regarded as persistent in nearly all patients. The German Federal Ministry of Health guidance on FM refers to a longitudinal study (n = 1555) in which 10% of patients had substantial improvement in pain, 15% had moderate improvement, and 39% worsened. FM severity worsened in 36%. No average meaningful change in symptoms was found, and high levels of self-reported symptoms and distress continued for most patients. Fibromyalgia can cause substantial disability, with impacts on the ability to work, engage in recreational activities, and do household duties. Amongst people with fibromyalgia, the proportion that are able to maintain their jobs has been estimated at between 34% and 77%, and some research suggest the typical reduction in work hours is between 50-70%. There is variation in the level of impact, with 71.4% of those who are mild remaining in employment, compared to 61.2% of those who are moderate and 28.5% of those who are severe. Levels of pain can vary significantly over time, from severe pain to almost symptom-free phases. A 2023 meta-analysis found that FM people were at a standardized mortality ratio (i.e., observed mortality rates in the study population, compared to expected levels based on a standard population) of 3.37 (95% CI 1.52 to 7.50) for mortality due to suicide.
However, the dependence on some of these properties is negligible in certain cases. For example, the viscosity of a Newtonian fluid does not vary significantly with the rate of deformation. Zero viscosity (no resistance to shear stress) is observed only at very low temperatures in superfluids; otherwise, the second law of thermodynamics requires all fluids to have positive viscosity. A fluid that has zero viscosity (non-viscous) is called ideal or inviscid. For non-Newtonian fluids' viscosity, there are pseudoplastic, plastic, and dilatant flows that are time-independent, and there are thixotropic and rheopectic flows that are time-dependent.
Bush's special envoy for human rights in North Korea Steven Waldman (1984), senior advisor to the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and founder of Beliefnet John Delaney (1985), U.S. congressman for Maryland's 6th congressional district and candidate in the 2020 United States presidential election Julius Genachowski (1985), chairman of the Federal Communications Commission Hector Morales (1985), U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States 2008–2009 Daniel Lewis Foote (1986), former U.S. ambassador to Zambia Michael Mundaca (1986), former assistant secretary for tax policy in the U.S. Department of the Treasury Sharon Block (1987), acting administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, former member of the National Labor Relations Board and professor at Harvard Law School David M. Friedman (1987), current U.S.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
No. Cardarine is a PPARδ agonist, while selective androgen receptor modulators act on androgen receptors. The two classes differ in receptor target and downstream effects.
Preclinical rodent studies reported cancers, including liver and bladder tumors, at tested doses. The human relevance of those findings is uncertain, but development was discontinued. No approved human product resulted.
No. It remains an investigational compound without approved therapeutic labeling. Sports regulators prohibit its use, and health agencies have warned against consuming it.
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.