Increased Hepatic ACE2 Expression in NAFL and Diabetes—A Risk for COVID-19 Patients?
Jelena Soldo, Martin Heni, Alfred Königsrainer, Hans‐Ulrich Häring, Andreas L. Birkenfeld, Andreas Peter
Abstract
The current pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced disease (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) is a major global threat. Although most infected patients have a mild course, a relevant proportion of approximately 20% develop a severe and often lethal condition. Recent findings demonstrate that COVID-19 is a multiorgan disease. In addition to the characteristic pneumonia, it affects heart, kidney, pancreas, the coagulation system, and liver. Major risk factors for severe COVID-19 with multiorgan complications include male sex, older age (.65 years), cardiovascular and chronic lung disease, and especially diabetes (1,2). However, it is still unclear why these conditions predispose to a severe course of COVID-19.