Multi-Omics Identifies L-Rhamnose as a Metabolic Regulator That Enhances Glycolysis to Promote Hair Follicle Growth

This study identifies L-rhamnose as a promising compound for promoting hair growth by enhancing glycolysis. Using a combination of transcriptomic, metabolomic, and cellular bioenergetics assays, researchers found that rhamnose stimulates hair follicle regeneration by accelerating the hair cycle from telogen to anagen in mice and promoting growth in ex vivo cultured human scalp hair follicles. Rhamnose achieves this by upregulating hexokinase 2 (HK2), a key glycolytic enzyme, and directly binding to it to enhance its activity. These findings suggest that rhamnose could be a potential therapeutic agent for treating alopecia.