Acadesine was originally identified as a metabolite of Bacillus species and was shown to accumulate in the culture medium of E. coli under sulphonamide stasis. Acadesine is an adenosine-regulating agent that increases bioavailability of adenosine. Ithas been tested clinically as a cardioprotectant and for hematologic malignancies. Acadesine activates AMP-activated protein kinase and inhibits platelet aggregation, induces p53-dependendent apoptosis in B cells and regulates cellular uptake of glucose, beta-oxidation of fatty acids, protein synthesis, and the biogenesis of GLUT4 and mitochondria.