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COVID-19 Impact on Lipid Profile and Metabolome in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Mini-Review

Karolina Pawłuszkiewicz1, Anita Maria Faltus1, Gabriela Augustynowicz2

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.

Current Diabetes Reviews
|February 15, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

COVID-19 significantly disrupts lipid metabolism and the metabolome in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). These changes worsen glycemic control and increase oxidative stress, requiring further study for targeted therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology and Metabolism
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and impaired glucose regulation.
  • COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has been associated with diverse clinical manifestations, including metabolic disturbances.
  • The interaction between SARS-CoV-2 infection and T2DM pathophysiology remains incompletely understood, particularly concerning lipid metabolism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms linking SARS-CoV-2 infection to altered lipid metabolism and metabolomic profiles in T2DM patients.
  • To compare metabolic alterations in T2DM patients post-COVID-19 with non-diabetic individuals.
  • To propose strategies for mitigating long-term metabolic complications in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive narrative review of studies published between 2004 and 2025 was conducted.
  • Databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar.
  • The review focused on lipid profiles (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides), HbA1c, and COVID-19 severity in adult T2DM patients.

Main Results:

  • Post-COVID-19, T2DM patients exhibit persistent dysregulation of lipid metabolism and broader metabolic pathways.
  • SARS-CoV-2 infection exacerbates metabolic dysfunction, decreasing total cholesterol, HDL, and LDL, with variable triglyceride levels.
  • Mechanisms include altered gene expression (CD36, PPAR-γ), disrupted amino acid metabolism (tryptophan-kynurenine, glutamine), increased oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and worsened glycemic control via insulin resistance and ACE2 interactions.

Conclusions:

  • COVID-19 significantly impacts lipid metabolism and metabolomic profiles in individuals with T2DM.
  • Further longitudinal studies are essential to determine the duration and clinical significance of these metabolic alterations.
  • Personalized therapeutic strategies are needed for high-risk T2DM patients affected by COVID-19.
Keywords:
COVID-19T2DM2 patientsdiabetes mellitusinsulin resistancelipid metabolismmetabolome

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