Plant stanols do not restore endothelial function in pre-pubertal children with familial hypercholesterolemia despite reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of plant stanols on lipids and endothelial function in pre-pubertal children with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH).


METHODS
Children with FH (n=42), aged 7-12 years, were enrolled in a double-blind crossover trial, in which they consumed 500 mL of a low-fat yogurt enriched with 2.0 g of plant stanols and 500 mL of a low-fat placebo yogurt for 4 weeks, separated by a 6-week washout period. Lipid profiles and endothelial function were assessed after both consumption periods. Endothelial function was measured as flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery.


RESULTS
This daily intake of 2.0 g of stanols significantly decreased the levels of total cholesterol (TC) by 7.5% and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by 9.2% as compared with placebo. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels remained unaltered. The reduction of LDL-C levels did not improve FMD, which was 10.5%+/-5.1% after plant stanol consumption and 10.6%+/-5.0% after placebo consumption, respectively (P=.852).


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that plant stanols reduce LDL-C levels in children with FH without improving endothelial function.
Jakulj
Lily
L
Department of Vascular Medicine, and Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. l.jakulj@amc.uva.nl
Vissers
Maud N
MN
Rodenburg
Jessica
J
Wiegman
Albert
A
Trip
Mieke D
MD
Kastelein
John J P
JJ
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D010840:Phytosterols; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol