Obes Med Potential Pathophysiological Mechanisms Leading to Increased COVID-19 Susceptibility and Severity in Obesity

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Obes Med


. 2020 Sep;19:100259.
doi: 10.1016/j.obmed.2020.100259. Epub 2020 May 26.
Potential Pathophysiological Mechanisms Leading to Increased COVID-19 Susceptibility and Severity in Obesity


Andrej Belančić ¹ , Andrea Kresović ² , Valentino Rački ³



Affiliations

• PMID: 32501427
• PMCID: PMC7255205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.obmed.2020.100259

Free PMC article

Abstract

As we are facing worldwide pandemic of COVID-19, we aimed to identify potential pathophysiological mechanisms leading to increased COVID-19 susceptibility and severity in obesity. Special emphasis will be given on increased susceptibility to infections due to obesity-related low-grade chronic inflammation, higher expression of angiotensin converting enzyme-2 and pathway-associated components, as well as decreased vitamin D bioavailability, since all of them provide easier ways for the virus to enter into host cells, replicate and stunt adequate immune responses.

Keywords: Angiotensin converting enzyme 2; Coronavirus; Cytokines; Obesity; Vitamin D.