Frederic Harb

Prof. Dr. Frederic Harb

University of Balamand, Tripoli, Liban-Nord, Lebanon
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

15Years (2012-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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11 March 2025 in Life
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
EBElsa Al Bekai
Elsa Al Bekai
CBCarla El Beaini
Carla El Beaini
KKKarim Kalout
Karim Kalout
Ouhaila SafieddineOuhaila Safieddine
Ouhaila Safieddine
SSSandra Semaan
Sandra Semaan
FHFrederic Harb
Frederic Harb
Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), characterized by gestational hyperglycemia due to insufficient insulin response, poses significant risks to both maternal and offspring health. Fetal exposure to maternal hyperglycemia leads to short-term complications such as macrosomia and neonatal hypoglycemia and long-term risks including obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular dysfunction, and type 2 diabetes. The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) theory explains how maternal hyperglycemia alters fetal programming, increasing susceptibility to metabolic disorders later in life. Objective: This review explores the intergenerational impact of GDM, linking maternal hyperglycemia to lifelong metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurodevelopmental risks via epigenetic and microbiome alterations. It integrates the most recent findings, contrasts diagnostic methods, and offers clinical strategies for early intervention and prevention. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect to identify relevant studies published between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2024. The search included studies focusing on the metabolic and developmental consequences of GDM exposure in offspring, as well as potential mechanisms such as epigenetic alterations and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Studies examining preventive strategies and management approaches were also included. Key Findings: Maternal hyperglycemia leads to long-term metabolic changes in offspring, with epigenetic modifications and gut microbiota alterations playing key roles. GDM-exposed children face increased risks of obesity, glucose intolerance, and cardiovascular diseases. Early screening and monitoring are crucial for risk reduction. Practical Implications: Understanding the intergenerational effects of GDM has important clinical implications for prenatal and postnatal care. Early detection, lifestyle interventions, and targeted postnatal surveillance are essential for reducing long-term health risks in offspring. These findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive maternal healthcare strategies to improve long-term outcomes for both mothers and their children.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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MQMohamad Al Qassab
Mohamad Al Qassab
MMMohammad Mneimneh
Mohammad Mneimneh
AJAhmad Jradi
Ahmad Jradi
BDBassem Derbas
Bassem Derbas
DDDana Dabboussi
Dana Dabboussi
HGHilda E. Ghadieh
Hilda E. Ghadieh
Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic option beyond their established role in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. Recent research has highlighted their beneficial effects on liver, kidney, and cardiovascular health, mediated by both direct and indirect mechanisms. In the liver, GLP-1 RAs contribute to the improvement of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) by reducing hepatic fat accumulation, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Additionally, they enhance insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism. Similarly, in diabetic kidney disease (DKD), GLP-1 RAs exhibit renoprotective properties by mitigating inflammation, oxidative stress, and glomerular hypertension. Furthermore, they promote natriuresis and stabilize renal function. Moreover, GLP-1 RAs present significant cardiovascular benefits, including improved myocardial function, reduced atherosclerosis progression, enhanced endothelial health, and decreased major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Additionally, emerging evidence suggests GLP-1 RAs may exert substantial neuropsychiatric benefits, including reductions in depressive symptoms, anxiety, substance use behaviors, and lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other dementias likely mediated by the modulation of neurotransmitter systems and neuroinflammation. Genetic polymorphisms in the GLP1R gene also impact the therapeutic response, highlighting the importance of personalized medicine in optimizing GLP-1 RA efficacy. This review synthesizes preclinical and clinical evidence supporting the multifaceted effects of GLP-1 RAs across multiple organ systems, highlighting their therapeutic potential beyond glycemic control. As research advances, further exploration of their mechanisms of action and long-term clinical outcomes, safety and effectiveness across diverse patient populations will be essential in optimizing their use in treating metabolic and neuropsychiatric conditions.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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VCVictoria Chaoul
Victoria Chaoul
EDEmanuel-Youssef Said Dib
Emanuel-Youssef Said Dib
JBJoe Bedran
Joe Bedran
CKChakib Khoury
Chakib Khoury
OSOmar Ahmad Shmoury
Omar Ahmad Shmoury
JSJihane Soueid
Jihane Soueid
Neurological diseases, including neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, affect nearly one in six of the world’s population. The burden of the resulting deaths and disability is set to rise during the next few decades as a consequence of an aging population. To address this, zebrafish have become increasingly prominent as a model for studying human neurological diseases and exploring potential therapies. Zebrafish offer numerous benefits, such as genetic homology and brain similarities, complementing traditional mammalian models and serving as a valuable tool for genetic screening and drug discovery. In this comprehensive review, we highlight various drug delivery techniques and systems employed for therapeutic interventions of neurological diseases in zebrafish, and evaluate their suitability. We also discuss the challenges encountered during this process and present potential advancements in innovative techniques.

23 January 2025 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
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Journal Article
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JJJean Paule Remington Joumaa
Jean Paule Remington Joumaa
ARAngela Youssef Raffoul
Angela Youssef Raffoul
CSCharbel Sarkis
Charbel Sarkis
ECElizabeth Chatrieh
Elizabeth Chatrieh
SZSally Zaidan
Sally Zaidan
HGHilda E. Ghadieh
Hilda E. Ghadieh
Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide. Among individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), 30–40% are at risk of developing DKD. This review focuses on the mechanistic processes, available and emerging biomarkers for diagnosing, monitoring, and preventing DKD, as well as treatment options targeted at DKD patients. A literature search was conducted on PubMed and Scopus using specific keywords. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to select the articles used for this review. The literature highlights various mechanisms involved in the progression of DKD to more severe stages. Additionally, several biomarkers have been identified, which aid in diagnosing and monitoring the disease. Furthermore, numerous treatment approaches are being explored to address the underlying causes of DKD. Advanced research is exploring new medications to aid in DKD remission; sodium-glucose cotransport (SGLT2) inhibitors and finerenone, in particular, are gaining attention for their novel renoprotective effects. DKD is a major complication of diabetes, marked by complex and multifactorial mechanisms. Thus, understanding these processes is essential for developing targeted therapies to potentially reverse DKD progression. Biomarkers show promise for early diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression, while current treatment strategies underscore the importance of a multifaceted approach.

19 October 2023 in Molecules
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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IBImad Boulos
Imad Boulos
JJJoy Jabbour
Joy Jabbour
SKSerena Khoury
Serena Khoury
NMNehme Mikhael
Nehme Mikhael
VTVictoria Tishkova
Victoria Tishkova
FHFrederic Harb
Frederic Harb
In eukaryotic cells, membrane proteins play a crucial role. They fall into three categories: intrinsic proteins, extrinsic proteins, and proteins that are essential to the human genome (30% of which is devoted to encoding them). Hydrophobic interactions inside the membrane serve to stabilize integral proteins, which span the lipid bilayer. This review investigates a number of computational and experimental methods used to study membrane proteins. It encompasses a variety of technologies, including electrophoresis, X-ray crystallography, cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), biophysical methods, computational methods, and artificial intelligence. The link between structure and function of membrane proteins has been better understood thanks to these approaches, which also hold great promise for future study in the field. The significance of fusing artificial intelligence with experimental data to improve our comprehension of membrane protein biology is also covered in this paper. This effort aims to shed light on the complexity of membrane protein biology by investigating a variety of experimental and computational methods. Overall, the goal of this review is to emphasize how crucial it is to understand the functions of membrane proteins in eukaryotic cells. It gives a general review of the numerous methods used to look into these crucial elements and highlights the demand for multidisciplinary approaches to advance our understanding.

24 February 2017 in Langmuir
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
FBFlorence Blachon
Florence Blachon
FHFrederic Harb
Frederic Harb
BMBogdan Munteanu
Bogdan Munteanu
APAgnès Piednoir
Agnès Piednoir
RFRémy Fulcrand
Rémy Fulcrand
JRJean-Paul Rieu
Jean-Paul Rieu