New Insights into the Effects of SARS-CoV-2 on Metabolic Organs: A Narrative Review of COVID-19 Induced Diabetes

Lu Li,1 Lin Li,1 Xianhui Cai,1 Zongfu Pan2 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China; 2Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Zongfu Pan, Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China, Email panzongfu@163.comAbstract: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-induced new-onset diabetes has raised widespread concerns. Increased glucose concentration and insulin resistance levels were observed in the COVID-19 patients. COVID-19 patients with newly diagnosed diabetes may have worse clinical outcomes and can have serious consequences. The types and exact mechanisms of COVID-19-caused diabetes are not well understood. Understanding the direct effects of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on pancreatic beta cells and insulin target metabolism organs, such as the liver, muscle, and adipose tissues, will provide new ideas for preventing and treating the new-onset diabetes induced by COVID-19.Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, new-onset diabetes, hyperglycemia