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A High-Throughput Multiplexed Screening for Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac Diseases, and COVID-19
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Interactions between COVID-19 infection and diabetes

Hassan M Heshmati1

  • 1Endocrinology Metabolism Consulting, LLC, Hassan Heshmati and Valerie Shaw Endocrine Research, Anthem, AZ, United States.

Frontiers in Endocrinology
|January 31, 2024
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic impacts diabetes through lifestyle changes and direct pancreatic effects. Diabetes also increases COVID-19 risk, highlighting bidirectional interactions.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has had global health and economic impacts.
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) targets cells via angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is present in endocrine glands.
  • COVID-19 infection affects multiple endocrine and metabolic systems, including the endocrine pancreas.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the bidirectional relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and diabetes.
  • To understand how COVID-19 impacts the endocrine pancreas and diabetes development/exacerbation.
  • To explore how diabetes influences COVID-19 infection risk and severity.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on COVID-19, ACE2 expression, and endocrine pancreas function.
  • Analysis of lifestyle changes during the pandemic (e.g., diet, physical activity) and their metabolic consequences.
  • Examination of the role of cytokine storm in COVID-19-induced pancreatic dysfunction.
  • Investigation of the impact of obesity and hyperglycemia on COVID-19 susceptibility and outcomes.

Main Results:

  • COVID-19 pandemic can promote obesity and type 2 diabetes via lifestyle alterations.
  • Direct impairment of the endocrine pancreas by COVID-19, potentially through cytokine storm, can promote or worsen type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
  • Individuals with type 2 diabetes, characterized by increased ACE2 receptors and hyperglycemia, face higher risks of COVID-19 infection and severe outcomes.
  • The immune system's response in diabetes can be negatively impacted, increasing COVID-19 morbidity and mortality.

Conclusions:

  • There are significant bidirectional interactions between COVID-19 and diabetes.
  • COVID-19 infection can negatively impact diabetes management and outcomes.
  • Diabetes can increase the risk and severity of COVID-19 infection.
  • Healthcare systems have adapted diabetes management services in response to the pandemic.
Keywords:
COVID-19 infectionangiotensin-converting enzyme 2coronavirusdiabetesimmune systempandemic

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