What is a cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients and how does it adversely affect organ systems in diabetes patients? In our latest episode, Associate Editor Dr. Keith Brunt (Dalhousie University) interviews lead author Dr. Dinender Singla (University of Central Florida) and expert Dr. Mark Chappell (Wake Forest University) about the new Review by Narasimhulu and Singla on the pathophysiology of the SARS-CoV2 virus as it relates to diabetes. As we now know, the virus enters cells through the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptors, which is especially concerning for patients with pre-existing cardiovascular complications and co-morbidities such as diabetes, given that renin-angiotensin system is a driving force of cardiovascular disease. In this insightful and wide-ranging interview, our experts discuss viral variance, sex differences, the need for more sophisticated pre-clinical models, long COVID, and implications for co-morbidity management. Where does the field go from here? Read, listen, learn.

 

Chandrakala Aluganti Narasimhulu and Dinender K. Singla Mechanisms of COVID-19 pathogenesis in diabetes  Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, published August 4, 2022. DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00204.2022