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). STUDY DESIGN: 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). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that plant stanols reduce LDL-C levels in children with FH without improving endothelial function.