• Title/Summary/Keyword: dietary protein level

Search Result 1,169, Processing Time 0.038 seconds

Effects of Nutrition Education in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Diabetes Control and Blood Antioxidant Status (제2형 당뇨환자에 대한 영양교육이 당뇨병 관리와 혈액 항산화 상태에 미치는 영향)

  • Shin, Kyung-Nam;Lee, Hye-Sang;Kwon, Chong-Suk
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
    • /
    • v.40 no.5
    • /
    • pp.689-695
    • /
    • 2011
  • Diabetic patients need nutritional education more than those suffering from other diseases because of the necessity of controlling blood glucose levels with dietary treatment. The purpose of this study was to find out the effectiveness of nutrition education on diabetes control and antioxidant status, both of which are related to diabetic complications. Thirty (15 males and 15 females) type 2 diabetes mellitus patients aged $66.7{\pm}8.8$ years participated in a 4-week nutrition education program. Nutrient intakes, blood glucose level, antioxidant status, and DNA damage were evaluated before, immediately after, and three months after the education program. Changes in those parameters over time were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of covariance. Over time, HbA1c (p=0.000), plasma total cholesterol (p=0.002), plasma thiobarbituric acid related substances (TBARS; p=0.000), and leukocyte DNA damage (p=0.000) significantly decreased; plasma retinol (p=0.001), plasma tocopherol (p=0.000), erythrocyte catalase (CAT; p=0.000), and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx; p=0.000) significantly increased. In an evaluation of nutrient intakes by Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRI), energy (p=0.009), phosphorus (p=0.033), sodium (p=0.001), potassium (p=0.019), zinc (p=0.043), riboflavin (p=0.050), folic acid (p=0.048) and vitamin C (p=0.008) intakes had significant positive changes. In a correlation analysis of the biochemical and nutritional changes resulting from the education program, plasma TBARS were negatively correlated with potassium (r=-0.418, p<0.05), iron (r=-0.443, p<0.05), riboflavin (r=-0.432, p<0.05), and folic acid (r=-0.446, p<0.05) intakes, while plasma retinol was positively correlated with energy (r=0.543, p<0.01), protein (r=0.543, p<0.01), phosphorus (r=0.425, p<0.05), iron (r=0.485, p<0.05), zinc (r=0.570, p<0.01) and niacin (r=0.510, p<0.05) intakes. Erythrocyte CAT was positively correlated with folic acid intake (r=0.605, p<0.01). From these results, we suggest that an improvement in nutrition resulting from a diabetic education program for type 2 diabetes patients led to improvement in their antioxidant status, also possibly reducing complications resulting from diabetes.

The morphological and chemical composition characteristics of Opuntia ficus-indica and Opuntia humifusa fruits (손바닥선인장(백년초, 천년초) 열매의 외관 및 성분특성 연구)

  • Kim, Mi-Hyun;Kim, Hee Jung;Jang, Mi;Lim, Tae-Gyu;Hong, Hee-Do;Rhee, Young Kyoung;Kim, Kyung-Tack;Cho, Chang-Won
    • Food Science and Preservation
    • /
    • v.23 no.5
    • /
    • pp.711-717
    • /
    • 2016
  • Opuntia humifusa fruits were investigated. The length of minor and major axis, and weight of O. ficus-indica and O. humifusa fruits were compared as the morphological features. The characteristics of components such as color, moisture, crude protein, ash, fat, dietary fiber, mineral, and amino acids were evaluated. The values of O. ficus-indica fruits were higher than those of O. humifusa fruits in each morphological feature such as minor axis, major axis, and weight. According to the Hunter color index results, O. humifusa fruits showed higher values of L (lightness) and b (yellowness), whereas O. ficus-indica fruits showed higher value of a (redness). The ${\Delta}E$ value between two samples was 19.80. The O. ficus-indica fruits had higher carbohydrate content and lower content of crude ash than those of O. humifusa fruits. Both samples showed very high dietary fiber contents, and the major minerals were K and Ca. Glutamic acid was the major amino acids in both samples. In free amino acids contents, O. ficus-indica had higher tyrosine and lower glutamic acid level than those of O. humifusa fruits. ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid was found in both samples, whereas taurine was found in O. ficus-indica fruits only. Taken together, the morphological features and chemical quality of O. ficus-indica and O. humifusa fruits showed difference although both of them were originated from the same genus.

Nutritional Status of Mentally Retarded Children by Residence and by Degree of Handicap (정신지체아동의 거주형태별 및 장애등급별 영양상태 비교)

  • 김창임;박기순;박영숙
    • Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
    • /
    • v.8 no.1
    • /
    • pp.112-119
    • /
    • 2003
  • We studied the nutritional status of on mentally handicapped children living at home or in institutions since early teenage years are nutritionally important. The subjects of 7 to 12 year old mentally retarded children attenending a special education school in Seoul were surveyed with questionnaires as well as 2-day dietary recall records, with the help of persons of their care-giver when needed. Among the 64 children,54.7% are living in institutions and the rest of them are living at home. They were ranged from the trainable (64.1%) , the educable (26.6%) , and the non-trainable (9.4%) . Their average daily intake of energy intakes (%RDA) was 2,070.1 kcal (94.1%) , Ca 603.9 mg (75.5%) , Fe 11.1 mg (92.5%), Vt.A 507.5 RE (84.6%) , Vt. B$_2$.1g (88.2%), niacin 14.1 g (93.6%) and Vt. C 58.2 g (83.1%) . Their average intakes of these nutrients were significantly higher in subjects of institutions than at home. The nutrients consumed at a much higher level than the RDh of the normal children were Vt. B, (1.6 g,146.8%) and protein (75.3g, 136.9%) . The higher percentage of children at home were under consumed of several nutrients (< 75% RDA) than ones in institutions. When comparing the degree of handicap, energy and nutrient intakes except Vt. C were highest in educable children than trainable ones or Dawn's children. MAR of the diets of the subjects was 0.84. Children at home showed lower MAR as well as NAR of each nutrients, whereas children belonged to INQ < 1 were less at home. Handicapped children at home were snacking higher amount relative to their calorie intake and too frequently, that may lead to their poor nutrition. There was positive correlations between factors of nutrition and physical and dietary behaviors, but there were no correlations between factors of nutrition and health-related habits. Nutritional caring mentally handicapped children in institutions seemed to be more effectively managed.

Effect of Corn Silage and Soybean Silage Mixture on Rumen Fermentation Characteristics In Vitro, and Growth Performance and Meat Grade of Hanwoo Steers (옥수수 사일리지와 대두 사일리지의 혼합급여가 In Vitro 반추위 발효성상 및 거세한우의 성장과 육질등급에 미치는 영향)

  • Kang, Juhui;Lee, Kihwan;Marbun, Tabita Dameria;Song, Jaeyong;Kwon, Chan Ho;Yoon, Duhak;Seo, Jin-Dong;Jo, Young Min;Kim, Jin Yeoul;Kim, Eun Joong
    • Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
    • /
    • v.42 no.2
    • /
    • pp.61-72
    • /
    • 2022
  • The present study was conducted to examine the effect of soybean silage as a crude protein supplement for corn silage in the diet of Hanwoo steers. The first experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing corn silage with soybean silage at different levels on rumen fermentation characteristics in vitro. Commercially-purchased corn silage was replaced with 0, 4, 8, or 12% of soybean silage. Half gram of the substrate was added to 50 mL of buffer and rumen fluid from Hanwoo cows, and then incubated at 39℃ for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. At 24 h, the pH of the control (corn silage only) was lower (p<0.05) than that of soybean-supplemented silages, and the pH numerically increased along with increasing proportions of soybean silage. Other rumen parameters, including gas production, ammonia nitrogen, and total volatile fatty acids, were variable. However, they tended to increase with increasing proportions of soybean silage. In the second experiment, 60 Hanwoo steers were allocated to one of three dietary treatments, namely, CON (concentrate with Italian ryegrass), CS (concentrate with corn silage), CS4% (concentrate with corn silage and 4% of soybean silage). Animals were offered experimental diets for 110 days during the growing period and then finished with typified beef diets that were commercially available to evaluate the effect of soybean silage on animal performance and meat quality. With the soybean silage, the weight gain and feed efficiency of the animal were more significant than those of the other treatments during the growing period (p<0.05). However, the dietary treatments had little effect on meat quality except for meat color. In conclusion, corn silage mixed with soybean silage even at a lower level provided a greater ruminal environment and animal performances, particularly with increased carcass weight and feed efficiency during growing period.

Intestinal segment and vitamin D3 concentration affect gene expression levels of calcium and phosphorus transporters in broiler chickens

  • Jincheng Han;Lihua Wu;Xianliang Lv;Mengyuan Liu;Yan Zhang;Lei He;Junfang Hao;Li Xi;Hongxia Qu;Chuanxin Shi;Zhiqiang Li;Zhixiang Wang;Fei Tang;Yingying Qiao
    • Journal of Animal Science and Technology
    • /
    • v.65 no.2
    • /
    • pp.336-350
    • /
    • 2023
  • Two experiments were conducted in this research. Experiment 1 investigated the spatial expression characteristics of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) transporters in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of 21-day-old broilers provided with adequate nutrient feed. Experiment 2 evaluated the effects of dietary vitamin D3 (VD3) concentration (0, 125, 250, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 IU/kg) on growth performance, bone development, and gene expression levels of intestinal Ca and P transporters in 1-21-day-old broilers provided with the negative control diet without supplemental VD3. Results in experiment 1 showed that the mRNA levels of calcium-binding protein 28-kDa (CaBP-D28k), sodium-calcium exchanger 1 (NCX1), plasma membrane calcium ATPase 1b (PMCA1b), and IIb sodium-phosphate cotransporter (NaPi-IIb) were the highest in the broiler duodenum. By contrast, the mRNA levels of inorganic phosphate transporter 1 (PiT-1) and 2 (PiT-2) were the highest in the ileum. Results in experiment 2 showed that adding 125 IU/kg VD3 increased body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), bone weight, and percentage and weight of Ca and P in the tibia and femur of 1-21-day-old broilers compared with the negative control diet (p < 0.05). The rise in dietary VD3 levels from 125 to 1,000 IU/kg further increased the BWG, FI, and weights of the bone, ash, Ca, and P (p < 0.05). No difference in growth rate and leg bone quality was noted in the broilers provided with 1,000 and 2,000 IU/kg VD3 (p > 0.05). Supplementation with 125-2,000 IU/kg VD3 increased the mRNA abundances of intestinal Ca and P transporters to varying degrees. The mRNA level of CaBP-D28k increased by 536, 1,161, and 28 folds in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, respectively, after adding 1,000 IU/kg VD3. The mRNA levels of other Ca and P transporters (PMCA1b, NCX1, NaPi-IIb, PiT-1, and PiT-2) increased by 0.57-1.74 folds by adding 1,000-2,000 IU/kg VD3. These data suggest that intestinal Ca and P transporters are mainly expressed in the duodenum of broilers. Moreover, the addition of VD3 stimulates the two mineral transporter transcription in broiler intestines.

Studies on the effect in degree of saturation of fats on serum cholesterol level in the rabbit (토끼의 혈청 콜레스테롤 함량에 미치는 지방의 포화도에 관한 연구)

  • Nam, Hyun-Keun;Sung, Ha-Chin;Chang, In-Yae
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
    • /
    • v.10 no.1
    • /
    • pp.27-37
    • /
    • 1981
  • The effect in degree of saturation and unsaturation of dietary added oils on the serum cholesterol level in the rabbit was studied for a kperiod of 4 weeks using isocalories and isonitrogenous diets. The subject rabbits were divided into 10 feeding groups such as control-1 (Basal diet only), A group (Basal+sesame oil), B group (Basal+perilla oil), C group (Basal+soybean oil), D group (Basal+rice bran oil), Control-A(Basal+casein), A-1 group (Basal+sesame oil+ casein), B-1 group (Basal+perilla oil+casein), C-1 group (Basal+soybean oil+casein) and D-1 group (Basal+rice bran oil+casein). The results are summarized as follows: 1. Body weight gains per week of the perilla oil fed group were higher than anyother groups during the experimental period. 2. Food efficiency ratios for the group of perilla oil fed were 1.041, 0.781, 0.520 and 0.431 for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th week, respectively. 3. In the group of perilla oil and Casein fed, food efficiency ratios for the experimental period were 0.887, 0.823, 0.489 and 0.437 for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th week, respectively. 4. It is investigated that the food efficiency ratio for perilla oil fed groups was higher than the group of perilla oil and casein fed. 5. Calorie efficiency ratios for perilla oil fed group were 0.018, 0.036, 0.024 and 0.020 for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th week, respectively. Calorie efficiency ratios for perilla oil and casein fed group were 0.028, 0.030, 0.024 and 0.020 for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th week, respectively. 6. Serum cholesterol was 72.8mg% for the group of perilla oil (6gr) and casein(6gr) fed, and liver cholesterol was 460.5mg% for the same group. 7. Serum triglyceride was 130.7mg% for the group of perilla oil (6gr) and casein (6gr) fed. 8. Blood glucose was 40.34mg% for control-l and 96.4mg% for control-A, respectively. Blood glucose was 120.4mg% for group Band 1l0.7mg% for group B-1, respectively. 9. The degree of saturation/unsaturation for perilla oil (SFA/USFA) was 7.8/92.2 and nonessential fatty acid/essential fatty acid(NEFA/EFA) was 26.3/73.7. In this conditions, serum and liver cholesterol was lower than anyother conditions for this experimental period. 10. For the perilla oil fed group, serum cholesterol was 105.5mg% for pleic acid/linoleic acid(18.5/58.5) and 72.8mg% for linoleic acid/linolenic acid(15.2/58.5). In this group, triglyceride was 132.5mg% for oleic acid/linoleic acid and 130.5mg% for linoleic acid/linolenic acid. 11. There are positive correlation between serum cholesterol and saturated fatty acid $({\gamma}=0.78)$, and unessential fatty acid $({\gamma}=0.41)$. There are negative correlation between serum cholesterol and unsaturated fatty acid$({\gamma}=-0.78)$ and essential fatty acid$({\gamma}=0.77)$, respectively. 12. The range of most effective diet for serum cholesterol level lowering was nonessential fatty acid/essential fatty acid(26.3/73.7), saturated fatty acid/unsaturated fatty acid(7.8/92.2) and added oil (6gr)/added casein protein(6gr).

  • PDF

A Study of Relation Between Number of Daily Food Intake and Nutritional Balance (1일 섭취식품수와 영양균형에 관한 조사연구 一일부 도시.농촌 임신부를 대상으로-)

  • Kang, Ji-Young;Wie, Ja-Hyung;Park, Jeong-Sun
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
    • /
    • v.20 no.2 s.22
    • /
    • pp.352-361
    • /
    • 1987
  • During the period of May 10 to June 6, 1987, we have conducted the survey about the number of the food daily taken and the intake of nutrition of the 83 pregnant women who have registered at Sudong Myun and Mikum-myun, Yangchu-gun which are demonstration area of the public health and medicine of the College of Medicine, Ewha Women's University, and of the 100 pregnant women who have been to the University Hospital attached to the above School. The result of the survery is as follows: 1) Among the above pregnant women, primigravida constituted 91 women and multigravida 92 women. As for the month of pregnancy, those who have been pregnant for ten months numbered 43 women (23.5%), which was the highest number. As for age, those who were 25 to 29 years old constituted 63.9% , which was the highest in percentage. 2) As for the level of education, those who graduated from high school constituted 49.2%, which was the highest in percentage. As for occuptation, those who were entirely in charge of household affairs as housewives were 89.6% , which comprised most of the jobs held by the above women. 3) As for the composition of a family in environmental food and nutrition, one generation was 68.3%, and two member family was 42.6% which was the highest. As for those taking rare of cooking and serving meals, housewives constituted 95.1%. 4) As for the economic situation of dietary life, those who were in the highest level (A level), were 47.0% in an urban area and 41.0% in a rural area, which were the highest in percentage. 5) The food which the above people selected after being pregnant was fruit not only in an urban area, but also in a rural area. And in terms of the percentage of fruit, an urban area and a rural area showed 44.0% and 54.2% respectively. As for milk, and urban area and a rural area showed 28.0% and 8.4% respecitively, which disclosed that the rate of a rural area was much lower than that of an urban area. 6) As for the number of food intake, 10-14 was 54.0% in an urban area, which was the highest. And 5-9 was 73.5% in a rural area, which was the highest. 7) As for the composition of food taken according to the number of food taken, meat showed the lowest rate in 5-9 group. (p<0.05) As the number of food taken increased, the rate of food taken (points) increased (2.4). Milk and milk products showed a low rate in 5-9 group and 15-19 group (p<0.05). Fruit intake showed a similar rate in all groups. As for vegetables, the rate of intake was high, as the number of food taken increased. Cereals showed a similar rate in all groups. Ans the points of intake was high. As for fat, the rate of intake was high, as the number of food taken increased. 8) In 5-9 group in the number of food intake, energy was 79.9% of RDA, protein was 64.9%, fat was 90.0%, carbohydrate was 81.6%, iron was 83.0%, calcium was 71.1%, vitamin A was 94.3%, vitamin $B_1$ was 77.8%, vitamin $B_2$ was 79.2%, and vitamin C was 88.2%, so that it showed the lowest sufficiency rate RDA. 15-19 group maintained the balance in energy and all nutrients nealy. In 20-24 group, fat was 142.4%, vitamin $B_2$ was 105.6% and vitamin C was 102.2%, so that it exceeded RDA.

  • PDF

Effects of Corn Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles on Production Performance in Laying Hens (옥수수주정박의 급여가 산란계 생산성에 미치는 효과)

  • Cheon, Yeoung-Ju;Lee, Hak-Lim;Shin, Myung-Ho;Lee, Soo-Kee;Lee, Bong-Duk;Son, Chan-Ku
    • Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
    • /
    • v.34 no.1
    • /
    • pp.53-60
    • /
    • 2007
  • A layer feeding trial was conducted for 10 weeks to investigate the effects of the addition of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) to layer diets on the laying performance, egg qualities, and yolk fatty acid composition. Nine hundred Hyline Brown layers, 24 weeks of age,were randomly allotted to 20 replicate laying cages, 45 birds per replicate. There were four diet treatments (0, 10, 15, and 20% DDGS), and five replicates per treatment. All experimental diets were prepared to contain iso-protein (17%) and iso-calorie (TMEn 2,780 kcal/kg). The use of DDGS up to 20% level in layer diets did not exert any influence on feed intake, laying rate, total egg mass, mean egg weight, and feed conversion ratio. DDGS did not exert any influence in weight of egg, breaking strength, and color of eggshell. The albumen height and Haugh unit was not influenced by DDGS addition. The yolk color was significantly increased by DDGS supplementation. As the DDGS level increased, the oleic acid content decreased, and the linoleic acid increased (P<0.05). The degree of saturation of yolk fatty acids was not affected by dietary DDGS. The inclusion of DDGS up to 20% in layer diets resulted in the decrease of feed cost per kg without any effect in the laying performance. In conclusion, the use of DDGS up to 20% level in layer diets could replace corn and soybean meal without any harmful effect on the laying performances.

  • PDF

Effect of Dietary Streptococcus faecium on the Performances and the Changes of Intestinal Microflora of Broiler Chicks (Streptococcus faecium의 급여가 육계의 성장과 장내 세균총 변화에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, K.S.;Chee, K.M.;Lee, S.J.;Cho, S.K.;Kim, S.S.;Lee, W.
    • Korean Journal of Poultry Science
    • /
    • v.18 no.2
    • /
    • pp.97-119
    • /
    • 1991
  • Effect of Streptococcus faecium(SF) and an antibiotic, Colistin(Col), supplemented to diets singly or in combination, on the performances and changes of intestinal population of microflora of broiler chicks studied. A total of 252, day-old chicks(Arbor Acre) of mixed sex(M:F=1:1) were alloted into six groups. A diet with no Col and SF was referred as a control diet. The basal diets were added with two levels of SF, 0.04 and 0.08%, singly or in combination with Col 10ppm Another diet was prepared by adding only Col 10 ppm. Numbers of the microorganism in diets added with SF 0.04% and 0.08% were 7$\times$10$^{4}$ and 1.4$\times$10$^{5}$ /g diet respectively The diets consisting of corn and soybean meal as major ingredients were fed for a period of seven weeks . During the feeding trial, fresh excreta were sampled at the end of every week in a sterilized condition to count microbial changes from each dietary group. Microbial changes of large intestine were also measured from nine birds sacrificed at the end of the 4th and 7th weeks each time per dietary group. Excreta from all the groups were also collected quantitatively at the end of 3rd and 6th weeks to measure digestibility of the diets, At the end of 7th week, nine birds from each group were also sacrificed to measure weight changes of gastrointestinal tracts . Average body weight gains of broilers fed the diets added with SF 0.08% (2.37kg) or SF 0. 08%+col 10ppm(2.34kg) were significantly larger than that of the control(2.18kg). The weight gains of the other groups were not statistically different from that of the control Feed/gain ratios of the supplemental groups were better than that of control (P<0.05) except that of birds fed the diet added only with SF 0.04%. Digestibilities of nutrients such as dry matter, crude protein, crude fat and total carbohydrates were not altered by the consumption of the diets added with SF and/or Col throughout the whole feeding period. As expected, the numbers of Streptococci in the excreta from birds fed diets added with SF increased significantly with a statistical difference between groups with SF 0.04% and SF 0.08% most of the time. However. addition of Colistin to the diets supplemented with SF did not give any effects on the number of the microorganism. Numbers of coliforms in the excreta were apparently reduced by feeding the diets added with SF and/or Col(P<0.05). There were, however, no additive effects observed between the two feed additives in this regard when supplementing Col to the SF diets. Distributions of intestinal microflora exhibited exactly the same pattern as those of the excreta. Length of small intestine of the birds fed diets added with SF 0.08% with or without Col 10 ppm became significantly longer with a range of about 10% than those of the birds fed diets without SF. However, the empty weight of the small inestine of the former group was lighter than that of control These changes resulted in a significant reduction in weight/unit length of the intestine of the birds fed diets supplemented with Col and SF singly or in combination. In overall conclusion, diet added with SF 0.08% appeared most effective in improving broiler performances. Colistin added at a level of 10ppm was not beneficial at all in itself or in combination with SF in terms of broiler performances or changes of intestinal microflora population. The efficacy of SF and Col could be attributed to the changes of wall thickness of the small intestine.

  • PDF

Inhibitory Effects of Spinach, Cabbage, and Onion Extracts on Growth of Cancer Cells (시금치, 양배추, 양파 추출물의 암세포 증식 억제 효과)

  • Lee, Hae-Nim;Shin, Seong-Ah;Choo, Gang-Sik;Kim, Hyeong-Jin;Park, Young-Seok;Kim, Sang-Ki;Jung, Ji-Youn
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
    • /
    • v.45 no.5
    • /
    • pp.671-679
    • /
    • 2016
  • Extracts from spinach, cabbage, and onion are known to possess various instructive characteristics, including antioxidant and anti-inflammation activities. Spinach, cabbage, and onion are consumed worldwide and represent important sources of dietary phytochemicals with proven antioxidant properties, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids. Food-derived flavonoids and phenolic compounds are expected to be promising drugs for cancer. In the present study, we investigated the effects of methanol extracts of spinach, cabbage, and onion on cell proliferation and apoptosis in human gastric and breast cancer cells. Proliferation rates of AGS, MDA-MB-231, and SK-BR-3 cells were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The methanol extracts of spinach, cabbage, and onion inhibited proliferation of cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. 4',6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining revealed that chromatin condensation significantly increased compared with the control. In the results of MTT assay and DAPI staining, onion extract was the most effective in inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis. To assess changes in protein expression level by onion extract, we identified Bax (pro-apoptotic), Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic), and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein by western blot analysis. The expression of Bax and cleaved-PARP increased, whereas expression of Bcl-2 was decreased compared with the control. These results suggest that spinach, cabbage, and onion extracts suppressed growth of human gastric cancer AGS, human breast cancer MDA-MB-231, and SK-BR-3 cells through induction of apoptosis. Among the extracts, onion extract had stronger anti-cancer and apoptosis induction effects than spinach and cabbage extracts. Further, onion extract more effectively induced apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells than human breast cancer cells. Therefore, further studies are needed to determine the anti-cancer effects of onion extracts in vivo. Onion extract can be developed as a chemopreventive or therapeutic agent for gastric cancer.