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

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... ay (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. Conclusions: The present study has demonstrated that a combination of exercise and silymarin can improve body composition and adiponectin levels.