Obesity and COVID-19: A Fatal Alliance
#MMPMID32837031
Banerjee M
; Gupta S
; Sharma P
; Shekhawat J
; Gauba K
Indian J Clin Biochem
2020[Oct]; 35
(4
): 410-417
PMID32837031
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Most people infected with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS
CoV2) are mildly symptomatic while few progress to critical illness and succumb
to the infection. The disease severity is seen to be associated with increasing
age and underlying comorbid conditions. Obesity, responsible for various
metabolic disorders, appears to be a risk factor in determining the severity of
infection despite any age group. Though this association is clinically relevant,
the mechanisms underlying are not fully elucidated. SARS CoV2 enters host cell
via Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 receptor, expression of which is upregulated
in visceral fat tissue in obese people, underscoring the fact that adipose tissue
is a potential reservoir for virus. Adipose tissue is also a source of many
proinflammatory mediators and adipokines. High baseline C-Reactive Protein,
interleukin 6, hyperleptinemia with Leptin resistance and hypoadiponectinemia
associated with obesity explains the preexisting inflammatory state in obese
individuals which predisposes them to worse outcomes and fatality.
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