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. 2020 Sep:19:100259.
doi: 10.1016/j.obmed.2020.100259. Epub 2020 May 26.

Potential pathophysiological mechanisms leading to increased COVID-19 susceptibility and severity in obesity

Andrej Belančić  1 , Andrea Kresović  2 , Valentino Rački  3
Affiliations

Potential pathophysiological mechanisms leading to increased COVID-19 susceptibility and severity in obesity

Andrej Belančić et al. Obes Med. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

As we are facing worldwide pandemic of COVID-19, we aimed to identify potential pathophysiological mechanisms leading to increased COVID-19 susceptibility and severity in obesity. Special emphasis will be given on increased susceptibility to infections due to obesity-related low-grade chronic inflammation, higher expression of angiotensin converting enzyme-2 and pathway-associated components, as well as decreased vitamin D bioavailability, since all of them provide easier ways for the virus to enter into host cells, replicate and stunt adequate immune responses.

Keywords: Angiotensin converting enzyme 2; Coronavirus; Cytokines; Obesity; Vitamin D.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declare no conflict of interest.

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