Plant sterol ester-enriched spread lowers plasma total and LDL cholesterol in children with familial hypercholesterolemia.
BACKGROUND
Naturally occurring plant sterol esters (SEs) favorably affect serum cholesterol concentrations in humans and could aid in the treatment of children with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH).


OBJECTIVE
We studied the effect of SE-enriched spread on serum lipids, lipoproteins, carotenoids, fat-soluble vitamins, and physiologic variables in children with FH aged 7-12 y.


METHODS
In a randomized, double-blind crossover study comprising two 8-wk interventions, 38 children with FH consumed 18.2 +/- 1.5 g SE spread/d, corresponding to 1.60 +/- 0.13 g SEs, or a control spread. Blood samples were analyzed at the start and end of each diet period.


RESULTS
Plasma LDL-cholesterol concentrations decreased by 10.2% (P = 0.003) during the SE period compared with the control period. Total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B concentrations were reduced by 7.4% (P = 0.007 and P = 0.020, respectively) during the SE period. No changes were observed in HDL cholesterol, triacylglycerol, or apolipoprotein A-I. Serum concentration of lipid-adjusted lycopene decreased by 8.1% (P = 0.015) in the SE period, with no changes in the other carotenoids. Lipid-adjusted retinol and alpha-tocopherol concentrations increased by 15.6% (P < 0.001) and 7.1% (P = 0.027), respectively. There was an increase (16.8%, P = 0.04) in alanine transaminase in the SE period, but this was explained by a significantly lower starting concentration in the SE period than in the control period. The children consumed a recommended American Heart Association Step I diet during both intervention periods.


CONCLUSIONS
A daily intake of 1.6 g SEs induces an additional reduction in LDL-cholesterol concentrations in children with FH consuming a recommended diet.
Amundsen
Agot L
AL
Lipid Clinic, National Hospital, Oslo, Norway. a.l.amundsen@basalmed.uio.no
Ose
Leiv
L
Nenseter
Marit S
MS
Ntanios
Fady Y
FY
D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008297:Male; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010840:Phytosterols; D002338:Carotenoids; D002784:Cholesterol