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Presence Current · Arkansas
Last published 2026
Sources OpenAlex · ORCID
Refreshed 2026-08-15

Reza Hakkak

High Impact

Associate Dean for Research

Also affiliated: Arkansas Children's Hospital (1993–2026); University of Arkansas Medical Center (2005–2014); University of Arkansas System (2021); Arkansas Department of Education (2017); Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (2006–2019); Poultry Research Institute (2021); Cancer Research Center (2007–2014); Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center (1999–2023); Arkansas Department of Agriculture (2006–2020)

Faculty Researcher

Dietetics and Nutrition, College of Health Profession

24 h-index 207 pubs 1,892 cited

  • Animals
  • Rats
  • Male
  • Obesity
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Female
  • Soybean Proteins
  • Rats, Zucker
  • Diet
  • Liver
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
  • Isoflavones
  • Body Weight
  • Ethanol
  • Caseins

Biography and Research Information

OverviewAI-generated summary

Reza Hakkak's research investigates the complex interplay between nutrition, obesity, and disease, with a particular focus on cancer prevention and promotion. His work utilizes animal models, primarily Zucker rats, to explore the metabolic and physiological effects of various dietary components and interventions. Recent studies have examined the impact of soy protein concentrate with differing isoflavone levels on non-alcoholic fatty liver steatosis, liver inflammation, and the translocation of lipopolysaccharide in obese rats. Additionally, his research has explored the effects of metformin on liver steatosis in obese rat models.

Dr. Hakkak's contributions extend to nutrition education and policy, drawing on his extensive experience as a professor and administrator within the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' College of Health Professions. He holds multiple professorships across departments including Dietetics and Nutrition, Pediatrics, and Health Policy and Management. His research has been supported by grants from organizations such as the Susan G. Komen Foundation, USDA, and the Arkansas Biosciences Institute. With over 65 research articles and 220 abstracts and presentations, Dr. Hakkak has established a significant publication record, complemented by an h-index of 24 and over 1,800 citations.

Metrics

  • h-index: 24
  • Publications: 207
  • Citations: 1,892

Selected Publications

  • Metformin Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Responses in Obesity-Associated Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) (2025)
    Journal of the American Society of Nephrology DOI OpenAlex
  • The effect of obesity and dietary soy protein with different isoflavone levels on fecal microbial composition in lean and obese Zucker rats over 9- and 18-week periods (2025)
    Food & Function 1 citation DOI OpenAlex
  • Obesity-Associated NAFLD Coexists with a Chronic Inflammatory Kidney Condition That Is Partially Mitigated by Short-Term Oral Metformin (2025)
    Nutrients 2 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Obesity and Dietary Soy Protein With Different Isoflavone Levels Alter Fecal Microbial Composition in Zucker Rats Over 9- and 18-Week Periods (2025)
    Current Developments in Nutrition DOI OpenAlex
  • Unrecognized Effects of Metformin to Reduce Proteasomal Stress and Macrophage Infiltration in Kidneys of Obese Rats with NAFLD (Abstract ID: 166383) (2025)
    Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics DOI OpenAlex
  • Dietary soy protein reverses obesity-induced liver steatosis and alters fecal microbial composition independent of isoflavone level (2024)
    Frontiers in Nutrition 4 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Soy Protein Concentrate With Low and High Isoflavones Can Reverse Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Caused by Obesity and Alter Gut Microbial Composition (2024)
    Current Developments in Nutrition DOI OpenAlex
  • Soy Protein Concentrate Diets Reduce Liver Lipopolysaccharide-Binding Protein Expression and Liver Inflammation in Obese Zucker Rats With Liver Steatosis (2024)
    Current Developments in Nutrition DOI OpenAlex
  • Soy Protein Concentrate Diets Inversely Affect LPS-Binding Protein Expression in Colon and Liver, Reduce Liver Inflammation, and Increase Fecal LPS Excretion in Obese Zucker Rats (2024)
    Nutrients 8 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Abstract 759: Soy protein diet changes metabolic profile in liver of 7,12-dimethylbenz(<i>α</i>)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary tumors in obese zucker rats (2024)
    Cancer Research 2 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Feeding soy protein concentrates with low or high isoflavone decreases liver inflammation by reducing lipopolysaccharide translocation (2023)
    Frontiers in Nutrition 7 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Long-Term Feeding Soy Protein Concentrates Protect Against Hepatic Steatosis Independent of Isoflavone Levels (2023)
    Journal of Medicinal Food 4 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Effect of Metformin Treatment on Serum Metabolic Profile Changes in Lean and Obese Zucker Rat Model for Fatty Liver Disease (2023)
    Biomolecules 2 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Feeding Soy Protein Concentrates with Low and High Isoflavones Alters 9 and 18 Weeks Serum Isoflavones and Inflammatory Protein Levels in Lean and Obese Zucker Rats (2023)
    Journal of Medicinal Food 9 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Diet Containing Soy Protein Concentrate With Low and High Isoflavones for 9 Weeks Protects Against Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Steatosis Using Obese Zucker Rats (2022)
    Frontiers in Nutrition 16 citations DOI OpenAlex

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Collaboration Network

36 Collaborators 9 Institutions 2 Countries

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