SARS-CoV-2 infection and its effects on the endocrine system

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can infect multiple tissues, including endocrine organs, such as the pancreas, adrenal, thyroid, and adipose tissue. The main receptor for SARS-CoV-2, ACE2, is ubiquitously expressed in the cells of the endocrine organs and accordingly, the virus has been detected in various amounts in all endocrine tissues in post-mortem samples from COVID-19 patients. The infection with SARS-CoV-2 may directly lead to organ damage or dysfunction, such as hyperglycaemia or in rare cases, new-onset diabetes. Furthermore, an infection with SARS-CoV-2 may have indirect effects affecting the endocrine system. The exact mechanisms are not yet completely understood and have to be further investigated. Conversely, endocrine diseases may affect the severity of COVID-19 and emphasis has to be laid on reducing the prevalence, or enhance the treatment, of these often non-communicable diseases in the future.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number101761
Pages (from-to)101761
JournalBest practice & research. Clinical endocrinology & metabolism
Volume37
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMedCentral PMC9985546
Scopus 85149871514

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2, COVID-19, Endocrine Glands, Humans, Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A, SARS-CoV-2