COVID-19: ACE2 binding and insulin resistance.
The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) is part of the dual system, the renin-angiotensin-system (RAS), and includes the ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT1R axis. AT1R is involved in most Angiotensin II effects, including oxidative stress generation, pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic effects in the respiratory system as well as insulin resistance. 10,11 SARS-CoV-2 binds 12 and downregulates ACE-2, enhancing the AT1R axis 13. It is likely to be associated with insulin resistance. 14