Baldness: this sugar might be able to regrow hair

Research on male pattern baldness, a problem affecting around 50% of men worldwide, could see significant advancements thanks to a recent discovery. A team of scientists from the University of Sheffield (UK) and COMSATS University (Pakistan) has revealed that a naturally occurring sugar in the body, 2-deoxy-D-ribose (2dDR), could encourage hair regrowth by promoting the formation of new blood vessels.



In a study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, the researchers explain that 2dDR, known for its role in various biological processes, has shown promising effects in mouse models suffering from hair loss induced by testosterone. This work is part of eight years of research into the wound healing mechanisms, during which scientists noticed that hair around treated wounds appeared to regrow faster.

To confirm this observation, the team developed a mouse model replicating testosterone-related hair loss, the main cause of androgenetic alopecia in men. Four groups of mice were treated for 20 days: one with dihydrotestosterone (DHT), another with minoxidil (a common hair loss medication), a third with a 2dDR gel, and the last with a combination of 2dDR gel and minoxidil. Results analyzed on the 21st day showed that 2dDR was as effective as minoxidil in stimulating hair regrowth.

According to Sheila MacNeil, a professor of tissue engineering at the University of Sheffield, this discovery could offer a natural alternative to current treatments by enhancing blood supply to hair follicles, thereby promoting hair growth. Muhammed Yar, an associate professor at COMSATS University, also emphasizes that 2dDR, being stable and inexpensive, can be delivered through various mediums, making it a promising candidate for alopecia treatment.

However, the researchers caution that these findings are still preliminary. Further studies are needed to understand precisely the mechanism of action of 2dDR and assess its relevance in humans. Nevertheless, this discovery has the potential to lead to more natural and effective treatments for male baldness, a field where options remain limited.