In good news for almost half of the world’s men, scientists have discovered that a naturally occurring sugar in humans and animals could be used as a topical treatment for male pattern baldness. This discovery could provide a non-invasive, cheap and safe alternative to the main treatment, minoxidil.
An international team of scientists from the University of Sheffield and COMSATS University of Pakistan has discovered that the organic compound 2-deoxy-D-ribose (2dDR) can stimulate new hair growth after eight years of research into how it can aid wound healing. I discovered that it can be irritating. . This serendipitous discovery occurred when they observed how hair growth around the wound accelerated compared to the untreated area. They believed that it directly affected the diseased hair follicles.
Professor Sheila McNeill, from the University of Sheffield, said: “Male pattern baldness is a very common condition, affecting men all over the world, but there are currently only two FDA-approved treatments for it. said. The answer to treating hair loss may be as simple as using the naturally occurring sugar deoxyribose to increase blood supply to hair follicles and promote hair growth. ”
To test their theory, the researchers recreated testosterone-induced hair loss in mice, mimicking male pattern baldness in humans. They were then assigned to groups of negative controls treated with dihydrotestosterone (DHT), positive controls treated with minoxidil, animals treated with 2dDR gel, and animals given a gel composed of 2dDR and minoxidil.
Minoxidil, sold topically under the Rogaine and Teloxidil brands, is one of only two FDA-approved hair removal drugs currently on the market and is used to treat conditions such as sensitivity to light and scalp discomfort. It comes with side effects. Most common side effects. It does not treat receding hairline, is more effective for people under 40, and should not be used by people taking blood pressure medications.
In the study, mice received each treatment daily for 20 days, after which skin sections were analyzed to determine hair length, diameter, hair follicle density and width, and the ratio of hair anagen (growth) to telogen (resting) phases. , the melanin coverage of the hair bulb was measured. and growth of blood vessels.
At day 21, mice treated with extended-release sodium alginate-based 2dDR-SA gel exhibited hair growth similar to the minoxidil cohort. However, the result was a slight increase in the number of blood vessels and an increase in hair follicle length and density, again reflecting minoxidil treatment. The 2dDR-SA gel also increased the amount of hair in the anagen, or anagen, phase, which is essential for maintaining hair density.
After daily topical application for 20 days, 2dDR-SA (T-3) was shown to be as effective as minoxidil (T-4), but combination therapy (T-5) showed improved results. I didn’t.
Overall, 2dDR-SA treatment was 80–90% as effective as minoxidil, and there was no significant benefit when combining 2dDR-SA and minoxidil. This suggests that this sugar compound has great potential as an affordable and safe alternative to current products.
“We have shown that this proangiogenic deoxyribose sugar is naturally occurring, inexpensive, stable, and can be delivered from a variety of carrier gels and dressings,” said Muhamed Yar, Associate Professor at COMSATS. said. To further research hair loss treatment for men. ”
Scientists believe that this sugar compound upregulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stimulates new hair growth. And I don’t understand why it is limited to male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) and may also be used for chemotherapy-induced hair loss.
“However, to study the mechanism of action of 2dDR, further studies are needed to investigate the levels of VEGF in this model after the addition of 2dDR and the extent to which hair follicle stimulation is blocked by the addition of VEGF inhibitors. ”, the researchers noted.
Although still in its early stages, the results of this study offer hope for hair loss treatment and could lead to the development of new and effective topical treatments that could benefit millions of people around the world. The focus shifts to the use of natural compounds such as
The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology.
Source: University of Sheffield
