Effect of aerobic training with silymarin consumption on glycemic indices and liver enzymes in men with type 2 diabetes

This study investigated the effect of eight weeks of aerobic training (AT) combined with silymarin (S)consumption on glycemic indices and liver enzymes in men with type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this clinical trial, 60 middle-aged male volunteers were randomly divided into 4 groups, including: (1) C + placebo(C) (2) AT + placebo (3), S and (4) AT + S. AT was performed for eight weeks, three sessions per week, each session for 20–45 minutes at an intensity of 60–85% of maximal heart rate reserve, and S receiving groups consumed 140 mg/kg S daily (in two servings). AT reduced glycemic indices and liver enzymes in men with T2D (p ≤ .05). S decreased blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, AST, ALT and ALP in men with T2D (p ≤ .05). Exercise along with silymarin decreased blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, AST, ALT and ALP. Also, reduction of AST and blood glucose in the AT + S group was more favourable than the effect of S alone (p ≤ .05). It seems that simultaneous AT and S has interactive effects on reducing glycemic indices and liver enzymes in men with T2D.