Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 4, 2025

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report
05:10

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report

Published on: May 30, 2025

431

Evaluating Possible Mechanisms Linking Obesity to COVID-19: a Narrative Review

Maryam Vasheghani1, Zahra Hessami2, Mahsa Rekabi3

  • 1Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center (CRDRC), National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Obesity Surgery
|February 3, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Obesity is linked to increased COVID-19 risk, severity, and mortality. This review explores the biological mechanisms connecting obesity and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to inform potential treatments.

Area of Science:

  • * Medical Science
  • * Epidemiology
  • * Immunology

Background:

  • * Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic with no specific antiviral treatments currently available.
  • * Vaccine accessibility remains a significant global challenge.
  • * Observational studies suggest a correlation between high obesity prevalence and COVID-19 incidence, with higher body mass index associated with increased disease risk, severity, and mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To systematically review and elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms linking obesity to COVID-19.
  • * To explore how obesity influences susceptibility, disease progression, and outcomes in COVID-19 patients.

Main Methods:

  • * Comprehensive literature search of relevant scientific databases.
  • * Review and synthesis of existing research on obesity and viral infections, specifically focusing on COVID-19.
  • * Analysis of proposed pathophysiological pathways connecting adipose tissue, inflammation, and viral pathogenesis.

Main Results:

  • * Obesity is associated with a pro-inflammatory state, potentially exacerbating COVID-19-induced cytokine storms.
  • * Adipose tissue can act as a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, potentially prolonging viral shedding and transmission.
  • * Metabolic dysregulation common in obesity may impair immune responses critical for combating viral infections.

Conclusions:

  • * Obesity presents a significant risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes.
  • * Understanding the mechanistic links between obesity and COVID-19 is crucial for developing targeted therapeutic strategies.
  • * Further research into the specific molecular and immunological pathways is warranted to mitigate COVID-19's impact on individuals with obesity.

Keywords:
AdipokinesCOVID-19Cardiovascular systemInflammationInsulin resistanceObesityRespiratorySARS-CoV-2Thromboembolism

More Related Videos

Isolation, Characterization, and Purification of Macrophages from Tissues Affected by Obesity-related Inflammation07:46

Isolation, Characterization, and Purification of Macrophages from Tissues Affected by Obesity-related Inflammation

Published on: April 3, 2017

25.5K
An Advanced Murine Model for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Association with Type 2 Diabetes10:17

An Advanced Murine Model for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Association with Type 2 Diabetes

Published on: April 26, 2019

7.1K

Related Concept Videos

Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
671
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion01:20

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion

Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...
5
Overview of Carbohydrate Metabolism01:19

Overview of Carbohydrate Metabolism

Carbohydrate metabolism is a fundamental biochemical process that ensures a constant supply of energy to living cells. The most important carbohydrate is glucose, which can be broken down via glycolysis to enter into the Krebs cycle and eventually lead to the production of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.
Glucose transport into cells is facilitated by a family of transport proteins called GLUT (Glucose Transporters). GLUT4 is the primary glucose transporter for insulin-stimulated glucose...
2.1K
Causality in Epidemiology01:21

Causality in Epidemiology

Causality or causation is a fundamental concept in epidemiology, vital for understanding the relationships between various factors and health outcomes. Despite its importance, there's no single, universally accepted definition of causality within the discipline. Drawing from a systematic review, causality in epidemiology encompasses several definitions, including production, necessary and sufficient, sufficient-component, counterfactual, and probabilistic models. Each has its strengths and...
1.0K
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution01:25

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution

Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
6
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
234