Objective-Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) is a multiligand cell-surface receptor that mediates the selective uptake of lipid from HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) into cells. This study hypothesized an association between functional variants in the promoter region of SR-BI gene and HDL-C levels. Methods and Results-We identified 2 novel mutations in the SR-BI gene promoter region by using single-strand conformation polymorphism. One mutation was an 11-bp CCCCGCCCCGT deletion mutation from positions Ϫ140 to Ϫ150 relative to the transcription start site, corresponding to an Sp1 binding site; the other was a C3T substitution at position Ϫ142. Twenty-six of 690 unrelated subjects were heterozygous for the Ϫ140 to Ϫ150 deletion mutation, and the allele frequency in this population was 0.02. This study showed that the deletion variant prevented binding of Sp1 to this region of the SR-BI promoter and effectively reduced transcriptional activities in HepG2 cells. Notably, the Ϫ140 to Ϫ150 deletion mutation was significantly associated with increased HDL-C levels and explained Ϸ0.5% of the variation in HDL-C levels in this population. Conclusions-A genetic variant at the SR-BI gene promoter region might explain a significant proportion of individual differences in HDL-C levels among Taiwanese Key Words: deletion Ⅲ mutation Ⅲ scavenger receptor class B type I Ⅲ HDL cholesterol E pidemiologic investigations have demonstrated an inverse relation between the plasma HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) level and the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD). 1 The main mechanism of CHD protection of HDL-C is believed to be through reverse transport of cholesterol from arterial cells to the liver. 2 In addition, HDL-C uptake by cells involves the selective transfer of cholesterol ester to the cell without HDL protein uptake and degradation, a process termed selective lipid uptake. 3 Acton et al 4 have demonstrated that scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), a multiligand cell-surface receptor isolated from Chinese hamster ovary cells by expression cloning, 5 binds closely with HDL and mediates selective cholesterol uptake in transfected cells. This receptor is mainly expressed in tissues that display selective lipid uptake in vivo, namely, the liver, adrenal gland, and testis. [4][5][6][7] Further in vivo analyses in mice and rats suggested that SR-BI is crucial in HDL metabolism. For example, SR-BI expression is upregulated in the adrenal gland, where HDL-C is used for steroid hormone synthesis, in response to depleted plasma HDL-C levels in apolipoprotein AI-knockout (KO) mice. 6 Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of SR-BI in mouse livers causes a significant reduction in plasma HDL-C levels and a corresponding increase in biliary cholesterol. 8 Targeted disruption of the SR-BI gene in mice reduced selective uptake of cholesterol ester from HDL into the liver 9 and significantly increased plasma HDL-C. 9,10 Furthermore, Acton et al 11 also found an association between several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the coding r...

No abstract

Background Health problems common among older adults living in community settings include a lack of functional fitness. Many studies have confirmed that exercises and static music therapy improve physical and psychological health problems. Exercise programs involving music have a higher frequency of attendance and motivation than other exercise programs. Active participation in active group music therapy results in better therapeutic effects. Purpose This study was designed to test the effectiveness of a 3-month active group music therapy program on the functional fitness of community older adults in Taiwan. Methods A quasi-experimental design with repeated measures was applied. A convenience cluster sample of older adults was drawn from seven senior-citizen activity centers in southern Taiwan. All participants were assigned to either an experimental group (n = 77) or a comparison group (n = 69) based on the requests of each senior center. The experimental group participated in the active group music therapy program for 3 months (twice per week and 60 minutes per session). The comparison group maintained their daily activities. Each participant's level of functional fitness was measured at baseline and at 1 and 3 months after the start of the intervention. Results Seventy-one participants in the experimental group and 62 participants in the comparison group completed the 3-month study. At the 1-month measurement, the experimental group had greater improvements in cardiopulmonary fitness, upper body flexibility, lower body flexibility, upper limb muscle power, lower limb muscle endurance, and balance than the comparison group (all ps < .05). These significant improvements persisted through the 3-month intervention (all ps < .05). Conclusions/Implications for Practice Active group music therapy is an effective complementary and alternative therapy for improving six items of functional fitness in community-dwelling older adults. Healthcare professionals may incorporate this active group music therapy program as a health promotion activity for older adults living in community settings.

No abstract