D-threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (D-PDMP) could bring a revolutionary change to the treatment of hair loss.

Hair loss is becoming more and more common these days and that’s the reason why latest, more advanced techniques are introduced for hair transplant. Similarly, a massive increment in the cases of skin inflammation have taken place which urged the medical scientists to do some research in this field. As a result, a lot of independent work was done. Various studies suggested that the consumption of a diet which is heavy in fats is responsible for this alarming trend. Having said that, there is a good news for all those people who want to avoid hair loss and skin damage without giving up their eating habits.

The experts of John Hopkins University have performed a series of experiments with mice to conclude that an experimental compound successfully reversed the effects of hair loss and skin troubles, which were allegedly caused due to a fatty diet. According to the researchers, the compound puts an end to the production of a specific type of fats called Glycosphingolipids (GSLs). According to the study published in ‘Scientific Reports’, a group of mice were fed a diet which had a lot of fats and cholesterol in it. Investigators found that these animals are more likely to experience hair discoloration, skin inflammation, and hair loss. However, these symptoms started to reverse when the experimental compound was given to these mice.

It is an important step in treating hair loss and skin infections in humans but we are not there just yet. Despite all the promising results, the researching team has warned the humanity that their research is far from complete and it is not necessary that similar effects will be observed in humans. Similarly, they clarified that they are not sure whether the compound will be safe for human consumption or not. Dr. Subroto Chatterjee, a Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at the John Hopkins University, explained that in the following words:

“Further research is needed, but our findings show promise for someday using the drug we developed for skin diseases such as psoriasis, and wounds resulting from diabetes or plastic surgery.”

The fact that GSLs are prevalent in Keratinocytes (controls the pigmentation of hair, eyes, and skin) and the cells of the uppermost layer of the skin proved to be the foundation of this research. The first practical step of the experiment came when the scientists modified a group of mice genetically to develop Atherosclerosis in them. It refers to a disease where arteries are clogged by the deposits of fats. After that, some of these mice were fed a Western diet which is high in fats and cholesterol while others were given regular diet. This diet pattern was continued for a period of 8 weeks before the initial inspection. Chatterjee summed up their findings by saying,

“Our findings show that a Western diet causes hair loss, hair whitening and skin inflammation in mice, and we believe a similar process occurs in men who lose hair and experience hair whitening when they eat a diet high in fat and cholesterol.”

It was observed that some of the mice who ate a Western diet suffered from hair whitening, hair loss and skin lesions. The situation worsened over the next 18 weeks as 75% of the mice eating Western diet experienced severe hair loss and multiple skin lesions. During this phase of the experiment, mice from both groups were fed varying amounts of D-PDMP either as a liquid or in a capsule. The mice who were on a Western diet showed signs of recovery on receiving 1 milligram and 10 milligrams of D-PDMP. It was found that a treatment with 1 milligram of the compound in a capsule per kilogram of body weight is as efficient as 10 milligrams of liquid per kilogram. This was a clear indication that encapsulated D-PDMP is a much better way of delivering the drug.

All this was done to determine whether the treatment of D-PDMP will cease the production of GSLs or not. Similarly, another goal of the experiment was to observe the effects of GSLs disruption on the skin. The results are promising for now but a detailed animal research is needed before clearing the drug for human use. Chatterjee seemed hopeful about that as he said,

“Hopefully someday in the future this can mean faster, more effective recovery from baldness, hair whitening in aging populations and wound healing.”