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Professor Parvez Haris

Job: Professor of Biomedical Science and Head of Research for the School of Allied Health Sciences

Faculty: Health and Life Sciences

School/department: School of Allied Health Sciences

Address: ºÚÁÏÍø, The Gateway, Leicester, LE1 9BH.

T: +44 (0)116 250 6306

E: pharis@dmu.ac.uk

W: /hls

 

Publications and outputs


  • dc.title: A review of salivary composition changes induced by fasting and its impact on health dc.contributor.author: Aripin, N. F. K.; Zahid, N. I.; Rahim, M. A. A.; Yaacob, H.; Haris, P. I. (Parvez I.); Rahim, Z. H. A.; Hashim, R. dc.description.abstract: Human saliva is an indispensable fluid that maintains a healthy oral cavity which otherwise can lead to oral diseases (dental caries and periodontitis). In addition, salivary metabolites and microbiome profile provide early detection of systemic diseases such as cancer and obesity. Salivary diagnostic has gained popularity due to its non-invasive sampling technique. Fasting (abstinence from food or drink or both) research for weight loss and improve health is common, but studies using fasting saliva are scarce. Some metabolites in fasting saliva have been reported with interesting results, which can be enhanced by considering different confounding factors. For example, fasting saliva contains higher salivary nitrite, which is related to nitric oxide (NO). NO is a vasodilator supporting the healthy function of endothelial cells and its deficiency is connected to many diseases. The timely supply of NO through exogenous and endogenous means is highlighted and the potential advantage of fasting salivary composition changes in relation to COVID-19 infection is speculated. This review aims to provide a general discussion on the salivary composition, properties, and functions of the whole saliva, including the health benefits of fasting. dc.description: open access article

  • dc.title: Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Glycaemic Control Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies dc.contributor.author: Elmajnoun, Hala K.; Faris, Moez AlIslam E; Abdelrahim, Dana N; Haris, P. I. (Parvez I.); Abu-Median, Abu-Bakr dc.description.abstract: Introduction The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing around the world. Although Muslims with a physical illness are exempted from fasting during the month of Ramadan, a great number still choose to fast, often without medical consultations. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the impact of observing Ramadan fasting (RF) on glycaemic control in patients with T2D. Methods The Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCOhost, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, ProQuest Central and Europe PubMed Central (Medline) databases were searched for relevant studies published between January 2000 and December 2021. Observational studies that examined the changes in body weight (BW) and glucose parameters (glycosylated haemoglobin [HbA1c] and fasting blood glucose [FBG]), before and after RF among different age groups with T2D were included in the systemic review and meta-analysis. Effect sizes for the tested outcomes were calculated as weighted mean difference (WMD), with their confidence intervals (CI). Quality assessment was examined using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) tool. Results Of the 1592 identified records, 12 studies conducted in Middle Eastern and Asian countries were eligible and included in the quantitative analyses. The quality of the retrieved studies was evaluated and found to range between fair (83%) and good (17%). These 12 studies included 5554 participants of whom 54% were males and 46% were females. Our pooled analysis demonstrated that HbA1c and FBG levels significantly decreased after RF when compared to the pre-fasting levels (WMD = 0.55 mg/dl, 95% CI 0.33–0.77, P < 0.00001, Ι2 = 93% and WMD = 12.42, CI 6.46–18.38, P < 0.0001, Ι2 = 81%, respectively). However, the difference in BW in fasting patients after RF versus the pre-fasting stage was non-significant. Although, young patients with T2D were enrolled in the 12 selected studies, we did not find any studies that solely focussed on this group. Conclusion The impact of RF on adult patients with T2D is associated with favorable outcomes. However, future studies should evaluate data from young adults separately. In addition, it is essential to identify the effects of the number of fasting days (level of exposure), diet, level of physical activity and sleeping pattern on optimal glycaemic control. This information could be utilized by medical professionals as a non-pharmacological therapeutic method for management of diabetes in patients who are willing to practice fasting during Ramadan and other months of the year. dc.description: open access article

  • dc.title: Investigating the antiviral activity of volatile compounds from Nigella sativa against coronaviruses. dc.contributor.author: Cooper, Gemma; Khodeir, Hesham F.I.; Kamoona, Karrar; Alalaqi, Ahmed; Haris, P. I. (Parvez I.); Shivkumar, Maitreyi dc.description.abstract: The recent emergence of three major coronaviruses and presence of coronaviruses circulating in bats suggests that spillover of new pandemic-potential coronaviruses into humans is likely in future. The development of pan-coronavirus antivirals will be crucial to combat this. Here, we investigated the antiviral activities of Nigella sativa (black cumin) oil extracts from various global locations against seasonal human coronaviruses OC43 and 229E, and SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses. Coronavirus-infected cells were directly treated with oil extracts and antiviral activity determined by quantifying viral titres. In diffusion assays, oils were incubated in microwell plates with virus in adjacent wells to investigate the effect of diffused volatile compounds. After incubation over a range of times, infectivity was determined. Our diffusion assay results indicate that volatile compounds present in Nigella sativa extracts show antiviral activities against coronaviruses, with no cytotoxic effect on cells. Significant inhibition of infection was observed after 12 hours incubation, with the most potent oils showing a ≥4 log10 reduction in OC43 infectivity at 24 hours. Interestingly, direct treatment of infected cells with oils showed limited antiviral efficacy, suggesting that the vapour phase may offer higher concentrations of the bioactive compounds without compromising cell viability. We also identified key volatile compounds present in the oil vapour phase; evaluation of the antiviral activity of these volatiles in isolation and in synergy are ongoing. Overall, this work provides a first step towards identifying novel pan-coronavirus antiviral compounds that can be formulated as sprays or inhalers for direct delivery to the site of infection.

  • dc.title: Ramadan fasting research during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom: recruitment challenges dc.contributor.author: Elmajnoun, Hala K.; Haris, P. I. (Parvez I.); Abu-Median, Abu-Bakr dc.description.abstract: Background: Many Muslims in the UK perform a dawn to dusk fasting, with no food and water, for 29–30 days during the month of Ramadan. Adults and some children, with type 2 diabetes (T2D), also engage in fasting often without medical guidance. The potential benefits or harms associated with this have not been well investigated. This report discusses and reflects the experience of developing q