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Molecular and pro-inflammatory aspects of COVID-19: The impact on cardiometabolic health

Elena Lo Presti1, Domenico Nuzzo1, Wael Al Mahmeed2

  • 1Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, Palermo, Italy.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. Molecular Basis of Disease
|September 29, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Patients with obesity and cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) faced higher risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. This review explores how SARS-CoV-2 infection impacts inflammation and cytokines in obese individuals, potentially affecting CMD and cardiovascular disease (CVD) management.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Metabolic Diseases
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Cardiometabolic diseases (CMD), including obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and hypertension (HTN), are linked to increased morbidity and mortality, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • SARS-CoV-2 infection is characterized by immune system overactivation, notably elevated Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and other cytokines, contributing to severe systemic damage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the inflammatory state, adipokine profile, and cytokine production in obese individuals, both infected and uninfected with SARS-CoV-2.
  • To investigate the potential influence of COVID-19 on cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • To identify potential therapeutic targets for managing CMD patients during the COVID-19 pandemic based on immunological insights.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on immunological aspects of obesity, COVID-19, and cardiometabolic diseases.
  • Analysis of cytokine profiles (IL-6, IL2, IL4, IL8, IL10, interferon-gamma) in relation to SARS-CoV-2 infection severity.
  • Discussion of adipokine alterations in obese patients with and without COVID-19.

Main Results:

  • Obese individuals with CMD are at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19.
  • SARS-CoV-2 infection exacerbates inflammation and alters cytokine profiles, which are critical predictors of disease severity.
  • Changes in adipokine profiles and heightened inflammatory responses in obese patients may influence CMD and CVD progression.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the immunological interplay between obesity, COVID-19, and CMD is crucial for patient management.
  • Targeting inflammatory pathways and cytokine responses presents a promising strategy for mitigating COVID-19 complications in patients with cardiometabolic diseases.
  • Further research into these molecular mechanisms can guide the development of novel therapeutic interventions for CMD and CVD during viral pandemics.

Keywords:
COVIDCardiometabolicDiabetesInflammationMolecular

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