Study of Effect of Resistance Training and Silybum Maryanum Plant Extract Consumption on Leptin and Adiponectin in Overweight Men

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of resistant training and Silybum Maryanum plant extract consumption on plasma leptin and adiponectin in overweight men.
In this quasi-experimental research a sample of 36 male subjects with overweight (BMI: 27.15±1.1 kg/m2, age: 24.1±2.1year) were randomly assigned into 4 groups. Resistance training (N=9), Silybum Maryanum extract consumption (N=9), the resistant training Silybum Maryanum extract consumption (N=9) and placebo group (N=9). The resistance training was included of bench press, crunch, back extension, lat pull, knee flexion, sit ups and overhead press and the daily consumption of 120mg Silybum Maryanum extract were completed during 8 weeks. Fasting plasma glucose, leptin and adiponectin levels were measured 48 h before and after the training period. ANCOVA and bonferoney were used for analysis variables data by SPSS version 16 software. After 8 weeks, the results showed that the plasma Leptin levels no changes in the 4 groups. The plasma adiponectin levels, although were not changes in the Silybum Maryanum extract consumption group, were increased significantly in the resistance training and resistance training Silybum Maryanum extract consumption groups compared to the placebo group. According to the results of this study, we conclude that 8 weeks Silybum Maryanum extract consumption and resistance training don’t effect on plasma leptin levels, but resistant training combined or without Silybum Maryanum extract consumption increase plasma adiponectin levels in overweight young men. The daily consumption of Silybum Maryanum extract 120mg, despite improvements in blood glucose, don’t effect on the plasma adipokine levels in overweight men and might dosage of the supplement to be effective in achieving this result. In this regard, more studies need to be done.