effects of silymarin supplementation on leptin, adiponectin and paraoxanase levels and body composition during exercise: a randomized double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial

conclusions the present study has demonstrated that a combination of exercise and silymarin can improve body composition and adiponectin levels. background silymarin has powerful antioxidant properties, but its effects on athletic performance are poorly understood. objectives the present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of 4 weeks of endurance or strength exercise, with or without silymarin, on body composition, paraoxonase (pon), leptin and adiponectin levels in untrained men. methods a total of 45 untrained men were divided into 5 groups (n = 9): endurance training with placebo (et + p), endurance training with 140 mg of silymarin/day (et + s), strength training with placebo (st + p), strength training with 140 mg of silymarin/day (st + s) and placebo (c). anthropometrical and vo2max measurements and elisa assay for pon, leptin and adiponectin levels were performed at the beginning and after the 4-week of the study results there was a significant decrease in weight and body mass index in the et + p and et + s groups and increases in st + p and st + s (p < 0.05) groups. body fat declined in all four trained groups (p < 0.001). peak oxygen uptake (vo2max) improved in both et + p and et + s subjects. paraoxonase (pon) was increased only in et + s group (p < 0.05). adiponectin was increased in all four groups (p < 0.05). circulating leptin remained unchanged within all interventions.