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COVID-19 was proved lethal for individuals with underlying conditions. According to previous studies, people suffering with health issues like diabetes, hypertension, obesity were at a higher risk of Covid related mortality.
Now, a recent study has also indicated that cholesterol present in the body helped SARS-CoV-2 to enter the body.
The study, published in Journal of Biological Chemistry, found that COVID-19 uses receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, or ACE2, to infect human cells. However, this receptor is not a complete picture on how the virius infects our body. “ACE2 is like a doorknob; when SARS-CoV-2 grabs it and maneuvers it precisely, this allows the virus to open a doorway to the cell’s interworking and step inside, but the identity of the door has eluded scientists,” it stated.
It also blamed high amounts of tissue cholesterol among the population who suffered chronic Covid infection.
The author of the story elaborated that human cells are enveloped with a layer of fat. This layer is also known as cholesterol. Though the layer is an important part of the human body, excessive cholesterol can harm the body in several ways. The study found that it also increases risk of COVID-19 at the cellular and biochemical levels.
Researchers looked at the participants who smoked regularly. It was found that smoking increases cholesterol in the lung tissues and increases the risk of virus by two-folds.
The study is an evidence of how can we reduce the risk of COVID-19.
This study may change the way physicians look at cholesterol. The need is to stop focusing on blood tests but look at how cholesterol is acting up.
