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Scientists have accidentally stumbled upon a potential new treatment for hereditary-patterned baldness, the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women worldwide.
It all started with research on a sugar that naturally occurs in the body and helps form DNA: the 'deoxyribose' part of deoxyribonucleic acid.
While studying how these sugars heal the wounds of mice when applied topically, scientists at the University of Sheffield and COMSATS University in Pakistan noticed that the fur around the lesions was growing back faster than in untreated mice.
Intrigued, the team decided to investigate further.
They took male mice with testosterone-driven hair loss and removed the fur from their backs. Each day, researchers smeared a small dose of deoxyribose sugar gel on the exposed skin, and within weeks, the fur in this region showed 'robust' regrowth, sprouting long, thick individual hairs.
The deoxyribose gel was so effective, researchers found it worked just as well as minoxidil, a topical treatment for hair loss commonly known by the brand name Rogaine.
"Our research suggests that the answer to treating hair loss might be as simple as using a naturally occurring deoxyribose sugar to boost the blood supply to the hair follicles to encourage hair growth," says tissue engineer Sheila MacNeil from the University of Sheffield.
www.sciencealert.com
It all started with research on a sugar that naturally occurs in the body and helps form DNA: the 'deoxyribose' part of deoxyribonucleic acid.
While studying how these sugars heal the wounds of mice when applied topically, scientists at the University of Sheffield and COMSATS University in Pakistan noticed that the fur around the lesions was growing back faster than in untreated mice.
Intrigued, the team decided to investigate further.
They took male mice with testosterone-driven hair loss and removed the fur from their backs. Each day, researchers smeared a small dose of deoxyribose sugar gel on the exposed skin, and within weeks, the fur in this region showed 'robust' regrowth, sprouting long, thick individual hairs.
The deoxyribose gel was so effective, researchers found it worked just as well as minoxidil, a topical treatment for hair loss commonly known by the brand name Rogaine.
"Our research suggests that the answer to treating hair loss might be as simple as using a naturally occurring deoxyribose sugar to boost the blood supply to the hair follicles to encourage hair growth," says tissue engineer Sheila MacNeil from the University of Sheffield.
Surprise Hair Loss Breakthrough: Sugar Gel Triggers Robust Regrowth
Scientists have accidentally stumbled upon a potential new treatment for hereditary-patterned baldness, the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women worldwide.
www.sciencealert.com
