Modern Treatment for Male Androgenetic Alopecia? Study Identifies Body Sugar That Plays a Key Role

The latest findings by scientists from the University of Sheffield in England and COMSATS University in Pakistan could bring hope to millions of men around the world struggling with androgenetic alopecia.

Androgenetic alopecia is the main cause hair loss in men, affecting up to 50% of the world’s male population. This condition usually begins with a receding hairline or bald spot on the top of the head, gradually progressing in a characteristic pattern.

The research team behind the latest test made an fascinating discovery that a naturally occurring sugar in the human body, known as 2-deoxy-D-ribose (2dDR), can stimulate hair growth. Their promising study in mice showed that this indispensable sugar, necessary for many biological processes, has the potential to stimulate hair regrowth, offering a novel strategy for treating hair loss.

While investigating how 2dDR aids wound healing by promoting the formation of novel blood vessels, the researchers noticed that hair around healing wounds grew faster than those that were not treated. This finding led them to test 2dDR in mice with testosterone-induced hair loss, where they found that sugar not only stimulated the formation of novel blood vessels, but also stimulated hair regrowth.

Research suggests that deoxyribose sugar may be as effective at stimulating hair regrowth as Minoxidil, a common hair loss treatment. The findings offer a potentially alternative approach to hair growth by using a naturally occurring sugar.

“Androgenetic alopecia is such a common condition affecting men worldwide, but there are currently only two FDA-approved drugs to treat it. Our research suggests that the answer to treating hair loss may be as plain as using a naturally occurring deoxyribose sugar to enhance blood flow to hair follicles to encourage hair growth,” said Professor Sheila MacNeil, a researcher at the University of Sheffield Press Release.

“The research we have carried out is at a very early stage but the results are promising and require further investigation. This could provide a different approach to treating this condition, which can affect men’s self-esteem and confidence,” Professor MacNeil added.

“This pro-angiogenic deoxyribose sugar is naturally occurring, inexpensive and stable, and we have shown that it can be delivered from a variety of carrier gels or dressings. This makes it an attractive candidate for further investigation in the treatment of male pattern hair loss,” said Professor Muhammed Yar of COMSATS University in Pakistan.