Research into male pattern baldness, a problem that affects around 50% of men worldwide, could make significant progress thanks to a new discovery. A team of scientists from the University of Sheffield (UK) and COMSATS University (Pakistan) have discovered that a sugar naturally occurring in the body, 2-deoxy-D-ribose (2dDR), could promote hair growth by encouraging the formation of new blood vessels.
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In a study published in Limits of PharmacologyThe researchers explain that 2dDR, known for its role in various biological processes, has shown promising effects in mouse models suffering from testosterone-induced hair loss. This work is part of eight years of research into wound healing mechanisms, during which scientists noticed that hair seemed to grow back faster around treated wounds.
To confirm this observation, the team developed a mouse model that mimics testosterone-induced 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 drug), a third with a 2dDR gel, and the last with a combination of 2dDR gel and minoxidil. The results analyzed on day 21 showed that 2dDR was as effective as minoxidil in stimulating hair growth.
According to Sheila MacNeil, Professor of Tissue Engineering at the University of Sheffield, this discovery could provide a natural alternative to current treatments by improving blood supply to hair follicles, thus promoting hair growth. Muhammed Yar, Associate Professor at COMSATS University, also highlights that 2dDR is stable, inexpensive, and can be administered through various media, making it a promising candidate for the treatment of alopecia.
However, the researchers point out that these results are still preliminary. Further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanism of action of 2dDR and assess its relevance to humans. Nevertheless, this discovery has the potential to lead to more natural and effective treatments for male pattern baldness, an area where options are still limited.
