Title:SARS-CoV-2 Infections, Impaired Tissue, and Metabolic Health: Pathophysiology
and Potential Therapeutics
Volume: 22
Issue: 16
Author(s): Shailendra Pratap Singh*, Aayushi Bhatnagar, Sujeet Kumar Singh, Sanjib K. Patra, Navjot Kanwar, Abhinav Kanwal*, Salomon Amar*Ranata Manna
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla 10595, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bathinda, Punjab 151001, India
- Department of Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla 10595, NY, USA
Keywords:
COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, ACE2, IMH (Impaired Metabolic Health), potential therapeutics, T2D (Type 2 Diabetes), RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System).
Abstract:
The SARS-CoV-2 enters the human airways and comes into contact with the mucous
membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyes. The virus enters the healthy cells and uses cell machinery
to make several copies itself. Critically ill patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 may have damaged
lungs, air sacs, lining, and walls. Since COVID-19 causes cytokine storm, it damages the alveolar
cells of the lungs and fills them with fluid, making it harder to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.
The SARS-CoV-2 infection causes a range of complications, including mild to critical breathing difficulties.
It has been observed that older people suffering from health conditions like cardiomyopathies,
nephropathies, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes instigate severe symptoms.
Many people who died due to COVID-19 had impaired metabolic health [IMH], characterized by hypertension,
dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia, i.e., diabetes, cardiovascular system, and renal diseases,
making their retrieval challenging. Jeopardy stresses for increased mortality from COVID-19 include
older age, COPD, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and immunosuppression. However, no
targeted therapies are available as of now. Almost two-thirds of diagnosed coronavirus patients had
cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, out of which 37% were under 60. The NHS audit revealed that
with a higher expression of ACE-2 receptors, viral particles could easily bind their protein spikes and
get inside the cells, finally causing COVID-19 infection. Hence, people with IMH are more prone to
COVID-19 and, ultimately, comorbidities. This review provides enormous information about tissue
[lungs, heart, and kidneys] damage, pathophysiological changes, and impaired metabolic health of
SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. Moreover, it also designates the possible therapeutic targets of
COVID-19 and drugs which can be used against these targets.
