New Sugar Discovery Offers Sweet Hope for Hair Loss
July 2024
Researchers at the University of Sheffield and COMSATS University Pakistan have made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize the treatment of male pattern baldness—a condition affecting more than 50% of men worldwide.
The Study: Scientists found that a naturally occurring sugar, 2-deoxy-D-ribose (2dDR), can stimulate hair regrowth in mice. This sugar plays a crucial role in various biological processes in both animals and humans.
Key Findings:
- Hair Regrowth in Mice: Applying a small dose of 2-deoxy-D-ribose to mice models led to significant hair regrowth.
- Blood Vessel Formation: The hair regrowth was linked to the formation of new blood vessels, enhancing blood supply to hair follicles.
- Comparable to Minoxidil: The effectiveness of 2-deoxy-D-ribose in regrowing hair was found to be similar to that of Minoxidil, a widely used hair loss treatment.
How It Works: Initially, the research focused on wound healing, where the sugar was observed to promote the formation of new blood vessels. Interestingly, hair around the treated wounds grew faster than untreated areas. This prompted scientists to explore its potential in treating hair loss.
The mechanism behind this is believed to involve vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key growth factor that stimulates the formation of blood vessels. VEGF is also related to the mechanism of Minoxidil and is found in Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments, both of which are used for hair growth and healing. By promoting blood vessel growth, VEGF enhances blood supply to hair follicles, encouraging hair growth and prolonging the active growth phase of the hair cycle.
Potential Benefits:
- Natural and Inexpensive: The sugar (2dDR) is naturally occurring, inexpensive, and stable, making it a promising candidate for hair loss treatment.
- New Treatment Approach: This discovery offers a potential alternative to the existing FDA-approved drugs for hair loss, providing hope for those seeking new solutions.

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Expert Insights: Professor Sheila MacNeil from the University of Sheffield emphasized the promising early-stage results, suggesting that this natural sugar could boost blood supply to hair follicles and encourage hair growth. Further research is needed, but the findings are encouraging.
Professor Muhammed Yar from COMSATS University Pakistan highlighted the sugar’s stability and ease of delivery through various gels or dressings, making it an attractive option for future treatments.
Looking Ahead: While this research is still in its early stages, it opens the door to new possibilities in the fight against male pattern baldness. At Bauman Medical, we are committed to staying at the forefront of hair restoration science and will continue to monitor and explore these exciting developments.
For the latest updates and expert care, trust Bauman Medical for all your hair restoration needs.
References:
Anjum MA, Zulfiqar S, Chaudhary AA, Rehman IU, Bullock AJ, Yar M, MacNeil S. Stimulation of hair regrowth in an animal model of androgenic alopecia using 2-deoxy-D-ribose. Front Pharmacol. 2024 Jun 3;15:1370833. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1370833. PMID: 38887556; PMCID: PMC11180715.
Dikici S, Yar M, Bullock AJ, Shepherd J, Roman S, MacNeil S. Developing Wound Dressings Using 2-deoxy-D-Ribose to Induce Angiogenesis as a Backdoor Route for Stimulating the Production of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021; 22(21):11437. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222111437
Dikici S, Bullock AJ, Yar M, Claeyssens F, MacNeil S. 2-deoxy-d-ribose (2dDR) upregulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stimulates angiogenesis. Microvasc Res. 2020 Sep;131:104035. doi: 10.1016/j.mvr.2020.104035. Epub 2020 Jun 25. PMID: 32593538
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