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SARS-CoV-2 targets the liver and manipulates glucose metabolism

Carlos J Pirola1, Silvia Sookoian2

  • 1Systems Biology of Complex Diseases, Centro de Altos Estudios en Ciencias Humanas y de la Salud (CAECIHS), Universidad Abierta Interamericana, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Trends in Molecular Medicine
|June 17, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) directly causes hyperglycemia by infecting liver cells and boosting glucose production. This highlights the virus's liver targeting and its links to chronic diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Recent research demonstrates SARS-CoV-2 directly induces hyperglycemia.
  • This effect is mediated by the virus infecting hepatocytes and activating gluconeogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the biological significance of SARS-CoV-2-induced hyperglycemia.
  • To explore the hepatic tropism of SARS-CoV-2.
  • To comment on the clinical implications for COVID-19 and noncommunicable diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review and discussion of existing findings.
  • Analysis of biological mechanisms.
  • Clinical implications assessment.

Main Results:

  • SARS-CoV-2 infects hepatocytes, leading to hyperglycemia.
  • Activation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK)-dependent gluconeogenesis is a key mechanism.
  • The study underscores the virus's affinity for liver tissue.

Conclusions:

  • SARS-CoV-2 has a direct impact on glucose metabolism.
  • Understanding the hepatic effects of SARS-CoV-2 is crucial.
  • The bidirectional relationship between COVID-19 and noncommunicable diseases warrants further investigation.
Keywords:
SARS-CoV-2glucose metabolismliver

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