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SARS-CoV-2 and its impact on the cardiovascular and digestive systems - The interplay between new virus variants and

Angelika Szpulak1, Urszula Garlak1, Hanna Ćwirko1

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wybrzeże L. Pasteura 1, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland.

Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal
|January 25, 2023
PubMed

Insights

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant can cause cardiovascular and gastrointestinal issues. This review examines SARS-CoV-2

Area of Science:

  • Virology and Immunology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, continues to evolve with new variants like Omicron.
  • While primarily respiratory, SARS-CoV-2 infection impacts multiple organs due to its binding to the ACE2 receptor.
  • The ACE2 receptor is highly expressed in the heart and gastrointestinal tract, making these organs susceptible to complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct a literature review on cardiovascular and gastrointestinal complications associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • To summarize current knowledge on the Omicron variant's structural development and receptor binding.
  • To compare Omicron's interaction with human receptors and proteases against previous variants of concern (VOCs).

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, and its variants.
  • Analysis of scientific data regarding the structural characteristics of the Omicron variant.
  • Comparative analysis of Omicron's binding affinities to human ACE2 and proteases versus prior VOCs.

Main Results:

  • SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to significant cardiovascular and gastrointestinal complications.
  • The Omicron variant exhibits high transmissibility and immune evasion capabilities.
  • Structural analysis reveals differences in Omicron's binding to human receptors and proteases compared to previous SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Conclusions:

  • COVID-19 complications extend beyond respiratory symptoms, affecting the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems.
  • Understanding the structural and binding characteristics of variants like Omicron is crucial for managing the pandemic.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 on these vital organs.
Keywords:
ACE2 receptorCardiovascular and digestive systemsMutationsOmicronSARS-CoV-2

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