DNA Sugar Gel Triggers Robust Regrowth : ScienceAlert

New Treatment for Hereditary-Patterned Baldness Discovered

In a groundbreaking discovery in 2024, scientists have potentially found a new treatment for hereditary-patterned baldness, which is the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women globally.

The journey began with research on a naturally occurring sugar in the body that aids in DNA formation: deoxyribose. While studying the wound-healing properties of these sugars in mice, researchers observed accelerated fur regrowth around the lesions when topically applied.

Driven by this intriguing observation, scientists from the University of Sheffield and COMSATS University in Pakistan delved deeper into the phenomenon.

A study published in June 2024 involved male mice with testosterone-induced hair loss, where researchers removed the fur from their backs. Subsequently, a daily application of deoxyribose sugar gel on the exposed skin led to robust fur regrowth within weeks, with long, thick individual hairs sprouting in the treated area.

Remarkably, the deoxyribose gel demonstrated efficacy comparable to minoxidil, a well-known topical treatment for hair loss.

Tissue engineer Sheila MacNeil from the University of Sheffield highlighted, “Our research indicates that using a naturally occurring deoxyribose sugar to enhance blood supply to the hair follicles could be the key to promoting hair growth.”

Understanding Hereditary-Patterned Baldness

Hereditary-patterned baldness, also known as androgenic alopecia, is a genetic condition influenced by hormone levels and aging, manifesting differently in males and females. It affects up to 40% of the population, yet only two FDA-approved drugs exist for its treatment.

While minoxidil can help slow hair loss and stimulate some regrowth, it may not be effective for everyone experiencing hair loss. In cases where minoxidil falls short, male patients often resort to finasteride, an oral medication that inhibits testosterone conversion to dihydrotestosterone.

Finasteride demonstrates efficacy in approximately 80-90% of male patients but requires continuous usage. However, it can lead to undesirable side effects such as erectile dysfunction, testicular or breast pain, reduced libido, and depression.

MacNeil and her team, led by biomaterial researcher Muhammad Anjum, developed a biodegradable, non-toxic gel derived from deoxyribose and tested it on mouse models of male-pattern baldness. The gel was compared to minoxidil, with some mice receiving a combination of both treatments.

Results showed that both minoxidil and the deoxyribose gel promoted significant hair regrowth in mice with male pattern baldness, with the combination yielding marginal additional benefits. Photographic evidence throughout the trial period demonstrated the treatment’s effectiveness.

While the exact mechanism by which the deoxyribose gel enhances hair growth remains unclear, researchers observed increased blood vessels and skin cells around the treated site, indicating a positive impact on hair follicles.

Promising Future for Hair Loss Treatment

If the deoxyribose gel proves successful in human trials, it could revolutionize the treatment of alopecia and potentially stimulate hair, lash, and eyebrow regrowth post-chemotherapy.

MacNeil emphasized the early-stage nature of the research, acknowledging the promising results as a catalyst for further exploration. Although the study focused on male mice, future investigations may unveil the gel’s efficacy in treating testosterone-driven alopecia in female mice.

Published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, this study signifies a significant step towards addressing the challenges posed by androgenetic alopecia.

This revised article is adapted from the original version published in July 2024.