Gaby
A team from the University of Sheffield (UK) and COMSATS University in Pakistan reports that the natural sugar 2-deoxy-D-ribose (2dDR) matched the effectiveness of leading hair-loss treatments.
The team called treating hair loss with this naturally occurring sugar a potential breakthrough that could help millions of people.
2dDR is the sugar that forms the deoxyribose part of DNA.
What Scientists Discovered
About half of men worldwide experience alopecia, and many women do as well. The researchers found that 2dDR, a natural component in the body, appears to promote healthy hair growth.
While studying 2dDR for wound healing, the team noticed hair grew more vigorously around the wounds. They hypothesized that 2dDR not only promotes blood vessel formation but also stimulates faster hair growth.
Intrigued, the research group tested it on laboratory mice to see whether the sugar could help combat hair loss.
The mice were given testosterone to induce male-pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). They were then shaved and treated with either a gel based on 2dDR, a commonly used medication, or a combination of both.
After 20 days, both the 2dDR gel and the established medication restored about 80–90 percent of hair growth in the testosterone-treated mice. Using both together did not produce any additional benefit, the Daily Mail reported.
Professor Sheila MacNeil from the University of Sheffield said the discovery “offers another approach to treating a condition that affects men’s self-esteem and confidence.”
“Our research showed that the solution to hair loss could be as simple as using the natural sugar deoxyribose to enhance blood flow to hair follicles and stimulate hair growth,” she added.
She noted there are currently only two FDA-approved medications for treating alopecia. The researchers hope that sugar gels or patches based on 2dDR will provide a safer, more natural alternative to established treatments.
Professor Muhammad Yaar from COMSATS University emphasized, “This pro-angiogenic deoxyribose sugar occurs naturally. It is inexpensive and readily available.” He said this makes 2dDR an attractive candidate for further research into alopecia treatment.
