571 | id == 571
571 | category_id == 30
571 | category_order == 27
571 | category_name == Hair Loss
571 | category_color == #C47AC0
571 | slug == SLC14A2-baldness
571 | title == A Kidney Function & Urea Metabolism Gene in Hair Loss (SLC14A2)
571 | meta_description == The SLC14A2 gene encodes a transporter protein involved in urine production. How is it connected to male-pattern baldness?
571 | summary == <p><strong>The <em>SLC14A2 </em>gene encodes a transporter protein involved in urine production. How is it connected to male-pattern baldness? Find out here.</strong></p>
571 | overall_score_text == Your Hair Loss Score (based on SLC14A2)
571 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/SLC14A2-Male-pattern-baldness.jpg
571 | author_id == 1
571 | author_name == Jasmine Foster
571 | author_title == BSc, BEd
571 | author_order == 36
571 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Jasmine.jpg
571 | author_intro == <p><strong>Jasmine received her BS from McGill University and her BEd from Vancouver Island University.</strong></p>    <p>Jasmine loves helping people understand their brains and bodies, a passion that grew out of her dual background in biology and education. From the chem lab to the classroom, everyone has the right to learn and make informed decisions about their health.</p>
571 | reviewer == None
571 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
571 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
571 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
571 | publish_date == 2020
571 | publish_date == 12
571 | publish_date == 28
571 | avg_rating == 5.0
571 | tags_id == 1032
571 | tags_name == Hair Follicle
571 | tags_id == 1029
571 | tags_name == Hair Loss
571 | tags_id == 24
571 | tags_name == Inflammation
571 | tags_id == 1082
571 | tags_name == Kidney Health
571 | tags_id == 1028
571 | tags_name == Male-Pattern Baldness
571 | tags_id == 1081
571 | tags_name == SLC14A2 Gene
571 | tags_id == 1083
571 | tags_name == Urea
571 | permissions_favorite == False
571 | permissions_rate == False
571 | content_article == <h2><strong>Summary</strong></h2> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">SLC14A2</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> encodes urea transporter 2 (UT2). Variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">SLC14A2</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> may play a role in male-pattern baldness by altering urea metabolism. Lifestyle, diet, and supplement modifications may counteract the effects of these variants by correcting urea metabolism and decreasing inflammation.</span></p> <h2><strong><em>SLC14A2</em></strong><strong> and Male-Pattern Baldness</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">SLC14A2</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene encodes solute carrier family 14 member 2, also called urea transporter 2 (UT2). This protein transports urea, the major waste product found in urine, within the filtration system of the kidneys [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/8170"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6882768/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As one might expect based on its function, UT2 is present mainly in the kidneys and bladder. It has been implicated in bladder cancer and other diseases of the urinary system [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5308812/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6882768/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Oddly, it has also been associated with male-pattern baldness. Hair loss has previously been linked to a type of kidney dysfunction, but this connection is rare [</span><a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1002746"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25826379/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4421168/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4005209/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">High levels of uric acid in the blood may, in rare cases, promote the development of an autoimmune reaction that causes hair loss. It is unknown whether variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">SLC14A2</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> might encourage a similar reaction, or whether there is another mechanism for its association with hair loss [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4005209/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other research has found significant associations between urea metabolism and inflammation, and between inflammation and hair loss. It is possible that the link between </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">SLC14A2</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and male-pattern baldness is inflammatory in nature [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23651724/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20141500/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7667670/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">SLC14A2</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene encodes a transporter protein involved in waste disposal and urine production. It may be associated with hair loss through an inflammatory pathway.</span></span></p> <h2><strong>Your </strong><strong><em>SLC14A2</em></strong><strong> Results for Male-Pattern Baldness</strong></h2> <p>*3584272104395181*</p> <p><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/SLC14A2/"><strong>SLC14A2</strong></a> <a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs9967367/"><strong>rs9967367</strong></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25826379/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Associated with relatively higher rates of male-pattern baldness</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = Associated with relatively lower rates of male-pattern baldness</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;T&rsquo; allele may alter urea metabolism in a way that reduces inflammation and prevents hair loss [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23651724/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20141500/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7667670/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> </ul> <p><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/SLC14A2/"><strong>SLC14A2</strong></a> <a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs10502861/"><strong>rs10502861</strong></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1002746"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Associated with relatively higher rates of male-pattern baldness</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = Associated with relatively lower rates of male-pattern baldness</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;T&rsquo; allele may alter urea metabolism in a way that reduces inflammation and prevents hair loss [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23651724/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20141500/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7667670/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> </ul> <p><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/SLC14A2/"><strong>SLC14A2</strong></a> <a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs34800162/"><strong>rs34800162</strong></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25826379/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5207801/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = Associated with relatively higher rates of male-pattern baldness</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = Associated with relatively lower rates of male-pattern baldness</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;G&rsquo; allele may alter urea metabolism in a way that reduces inflammation and prevents hair loss [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23651724/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20141500/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7667670/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> </ul> <p><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/SLC14A2/"><strong>SLC14A2</strong></a> <a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs8085664/"><strong>rs8085664</strong></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25826379/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5691155/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1006594"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Associated with relatively higher rates of male-pattern baldness</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = Associated with relatively lower rates of male-pattern baldness</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;A&rsquo; allele may alter urea metabolism in a way that reduces inflammation and prevents hair loss [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23651724/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20141500/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7667670/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> </ul> <p>*3021471774394091*</p> <h2><strong>Recommendations for Improving Hair Growth</strong></h2> <p>*9504808447548976*</p> <h3><strong>Avoid Cigarettes</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cigarette smoke exposure is considered a risk factor for both kidney dysfunction and male-pattern baldness. Smoking is also strongly associated with increased inflammation, giving it multiple possible harmful interactions with </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">SLC14A2</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2671650/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5349892/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12673073/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Several studies have associated smoking with an approximately 2-fold increased risk of male-pattern baldness. Cigarette smoke may cause oxidative and inflammatory damage in the hair follicles, impair hair growth, and reduce female sex hormone levels. A study found that the combination of smoking with being overweight increased male-pattern baldness severity [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12673073/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28555720/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18025364/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32946667/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23629119/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Cigarette smoke exposure may alter urea metabolism, increase inflammation, and promote hair loss.</span></p> <h3><strong>Mediterranean Diet</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Mediterranean diet is a popular anti-inflammatory diet that may help support kidney function and promote healthy urea metabolism [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31896540/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22541738/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a study on over 200 men, the incidence of male-pattern baldness was reduced by over 50% in those eating a Mediterranean diet rich in fresh vegetables and herbs [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29181579/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">The Mediterranean diet is anti-inflammatory and may support kidney function and hair growth.</span></p> <h3><strong>Coffee</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Caffeine may decrease the rate of urea production and decrease general inflammation in some people, but not others. People who are physically fit may be more likely to benefit than those who are not very active [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23135367/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27425673/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Topical lotions and shampoos with </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/caffeine-benefits/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">caffeine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> increased hair strength and thickness while decreasing hair loss in 4 trials (2 of them controlled) of 340 men with male-pattern baldness. The lotion enhanced the effectiveness of </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/topical-minoxidil-hair-loss/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">minoxidil</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in one of them [</span><a href="http://iscd.it/files/Use-of-a-Cosmetic-Caffeine-Lotion-in-the-Treatment-of-Male-Androgenetic-Alopecia.pdf"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://www.iscd.it/files/Use-of-a-Caffeine-Shampoo-for-the-Treatment-of-Male-Androgenetic-Alopecia.pdf"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-1689-en.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5804833/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Similarly, a shampoo with caffeine used for 6 months reduced hair loss and increased hair strength in women in a placebo-controlled trial [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29512972/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is not known whether drinking coffee can have an effect on hair growth [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3358932/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Caffeine may improve urea metabolism and decrease inflammation, but not in everyone. Topical creams containing caffeine may improve hair growth.</span></p>
571 | content_snp_table_3584272104395181_key == 3584272104395181
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571 | content_snp_table_3584272104395181_hidden == False
571 | content_learn_more_3021471774394091_key == 3021471774394091
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571 | content_learn_more_3021471774394091_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your SLC14A2 gene is somewhat associated with altered urea metabolism and inflammation. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of male-pattern baldness; it’s just one gene related to it. Avoiding cigarettes, eating a Mediterranean diet, and using topical caffeine cream may help. Keep scrolling to find out more.
571 | content_recommendation_9504808447548976_key == 9504808447548976
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571 | content_recommendation_9504808447548976_hidden == False
rsIDs = rs34800162,rs8085664,rs10502861,rs9967367
rsStatus = rs34800162,SLC14A2,chr18,45228094,T,G,,,25,12,HET
rsStatus = rs8085664,SLC14A2,chr18,45234191,C,A,T,,17,13,HET
rsStatus = rs10502861,SLC14A2,chr18,45220183,C,T,,,12,21,HET
rsStatus = rs9967367,SETBP1,chr18,45026126,C,G,T,,23,0,Normal
