Researchers at Hospital Clínico San Carlos in Madrid have reported a major advance in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as pattern baldness. In a study published in Stem Cell Research and Therapy, Spanish scientists demonstrated that a combination of fat-derived stem cells and the energy molecule ATP led to significant hair regrowth in laboratory mice.
According to the research team, all male mice subjected to the treatment regimen experienced fur regeneration. Fifty percent of those fully regained their hair, while the remaining animals showed substantial regrowth. Among female mice, 90 percent experienced either full or significant hair restoration.
The treatment uses a non-hormonal mechanism, relying on stem cells extracted from adipose tissue and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a compound essential for cellular energy transfer. Dr. Eduardo López Bran, the lead investigator, explained that the combined application of stem cells and ATP effectively reactivated hair follicles, stimulating regeneration even after hair loss had been induced.
The breakthrough offers hope for millions affected by hair loss. In the United States alone, over 80 million people—50 million men and 30 million women—suffer from some form of alopecia. Existing treatments, including medications such as finasteride or invasive hair transplant procedures, often present limitations such as side effects, high costs, or inconsistent results.
The research team emphasized that while the results in mice are promising, further testing is necessary before the treatment can be evaluated in human trials. If successful, the approach could mark a turning point in non-hormonal, stem-cell-based therapies for hair restoration.
