There was no significant change in the γGT levels .
Significant differences were not found .
CONCLUSION Silymarin minimally reduced , but without clinical relevance , the serum levels of ALT and AST .
AIM To evaluate the effect of silymarin on the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase ( ALT ) , aspartate aminotransferase ( AST ) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase ( γGT ) in patients with liver diseases .
Randomised double-blinded trial evaluating silymarin for chronic hepatitis C in an Egyptian village: study description and 12-month results.
BACKGROUND / AIMS A double-blinded trial evaluating silymarin , an herbal supplement for liver disease , to prevent complications of chronic hepatitis C virus infection has not been done . SUBJECTS One hundred and seventy-seven consenting residents of an Egyptian village with chronic hepatitis C virus were r and omly assigned to receive either silymarin or multivitamin supplements . METHODS Participants had baseline and follow-up clinical , ultrasound , blood tests and quality -of-life assessment s. Community nurses visited weekly to ascertain compliance , distribute supplements and record adverse effects . RESULTS At 12 months almost all of 141 remaining subjects reported feeling better , although symptoms and quality -of-life scores did not differ between the silymarin and multivitamin groups . Both the silymarin and vitamins were tolerated equally well ; and > 95 % of supplements were taken by > 95 % of subjects . One in each group had no detectable hepatitis C virus antibodies while two in the silymarin group and three receiving multivitamins had undetectable hepatitis C virus RNA . Serum alanine aminotransferase elevations did not differ between groups . Serum hepatic fibrosis marker , hyaluronic acid and YKL-40 , and abdominal ultrasound results were similar in both groups and may have progressed slightly at 12 months . CONCLUSIONS The recommended dose of silymarin can be safely taken for 1 year and improves symptoms and general well-being , but has no effect upon hepatitis C virus viremia , serum ALT , or serum and ultrasound markers for hepatic fibrosis . More prolonged evaluation and a higher dose may be required to ascertain whether milk thistle supplements prevent complications of chronic hepatitis C virus
There was no significant change in the γGT levels .
Significant differences were not found .
CONCLUSION Silymarin minimally reduced , but without clinical relevance , the serum levels of ALT and AST .
AIM To evaluate the effect of silymarin on the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase ( ALT ) , aspartate aminotransferase ( AST ) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase ( γGT ) in patients with liver diseases .