Understanding the interplay between COVID-19 and diabetes: insights for the post-pandemic era

The global pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has had a profound impact on the onset, progression, and management of diabetes, posing significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. This review elucidates the multifaceted impact of SARS-CoV-2 on diabetes mellitus, emphasizing the increa...

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Main Authors: Xuefei Zhao, Linlin Jiang, Wenjie Sun, Shanshan Tang, Xiaomin Kang, Qing Gao, Zehua Li, Xuedong An, Fengmei Lian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Endocrinology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1599969/full
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author Xuefei Zhao
Linlin Jiang
Linlin Jiang
Wenjie Sun
Shanshan Tang
Xiaomin Kang
Qing Gao
Qing Gao
Zehua Li
Zehua Li
Xuedong An
Fengmei Lian
author_facet Xuefei Zhao
Linlin Jiang
Linlin Jiang
Wenjie Sun
Shanshan Tang
Xiaomin Kang
Qing Gao
Qing Gao
Zehua Li
Zehua Li
Xuedong An
Fengmei Lian
author_sort Xuefei Zhao
collection DOAJ
description The global pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has had a profound impact on the onset, progression, and management of diabetes, posing significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. This review elucidates the multifaceted impact of SARS-CoV-2 on diabetes mellitus, emphasizing the increased complexity of glycemic management in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection following viral infection in the postpandemic era. In this study, we examined the diverse effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on individuals with diabetes. These effects included an elevated risk of morbidity, erratic fluctuations in blood glucose levels, the emergence of complications associated with diabetes, and the emergence of challenges related to self-management of the disease. From a mechanistic perspective, we investigated the following factors: SARS-CoV-2-mediated direct damage to islet beta cells, dysregulation of the RAAS system, impairment of islet function by oxidative stress, and the effects of the integrated stress response, stress response, and reduced adiponectin levels on insulin utilization efficiency and glucose metabolism. Furthermore, viral effects extend to diabetic complications and cardiovascular risk factors, such as coagulation abnormalities, hypertension, and lipid metabolism. This results in an exacerbation of the development of diabetic complications. This review highlights the urgent need for refined management strategies for patients with diabetes during the pandemic and in the later stages of COVID-19. Additionally, there is a need for integrated management strategies to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the long-term outcomes of patients with diabetes.
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spelling doaj-art-91f76e0c453445f294cb0409e3a3a5a02025-08-20T02:33:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Endocrinology1664-23922025-05-011610.3389/fendo.2025.15999691599969Understanding the interplay between COVID-19 and diabetes: insights for the post-pandemic eraXuefei Zhao0Linlin Jiang1Linlin Jiang2Wenjie Sun3Shanshan Tang4Xiaomin Kang5Qing Gao6Qing Gao7Zehua Li8Zehua Li9Xuedong An10Fengmei Lian11Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaGuang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaBeijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaGuang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaCollege of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, ChinaGuang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaGuang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaBeijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaGuang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaBeijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaGuang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaGuang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaThe global pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has had a profound impact on the onset, progression, and management of diabetes, posing significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. This review elucidates the multifaceted impact of SARS-CoV-2 on diabetes mellitus, emphasizing the increased complexity of glycemic management in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection following viral infection in the postpandemic era. In this study, we examined the diverse effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on individuals with diabetes. These effects included an elevated risk of morbidity, erratic fluctuations in blood glucose levels, the emergence of complications associated with diabetes, and the emergence of challenges related to self-management of the disease. From a mechanistic perspective, we investigated the following factors: SARS-CoV-2-mediated direct damage to islet beta cells, dysregulation of the RAAS system, impairment of islet function by oxidative stress, and the effects of the integrated stress response, stress response, and reduced adiponectin levels on insulin utilization efficiency and glucose metabolism. Furthermore, viral effects extend to diabetic complications and cardiovascular risk factors, such as coagulation abnormalities, hypertension, and lipid metabolism. This results in an exacerbation of the development of diabetic complications. This review highlights the urgent need for refined management strategies for patients with diabetes during the pandemic and in the later stages of COVID-19. Additionally, there is a need for integrated management strategies to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the long-term outcomes of patients with diabetes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1599969/fullCOVID-19SARS-CoV-2diabetesglucose metabolismpancreatic β-cellsvirus induced diabetes
spellingShingle Xuefei Zhao
Linlin Jiang
Linlin Jiang
Wenjie Sun
Shanshan Tang
Xiaomin Kang
Qing Gao
Qing Gao
Zehua Li
Zehua Li
Xuedong An
Fengmei Lian
Understanding the interplay between COVID-19 and diabetes: insights for the post-pandemic era
Frontiers in Endocrinology
COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2
diabetes
glucose metabolism
pancreatic β-cells
virus induced diabetes
title Understanding the interplay between COVID-19 and diabetes: insights for the post-pandemic era
title_full Understanding the interplay between COVID-19 and diabetes: insights for the post-pandemic era
title_fullStr Understanding the interplay between COVID-19 and diabetes: insights for the post-pandemic era
title_full_unstemmed Understanding the interplay between COVID-19 and diabetes: insights for the post-pandemic era
title_short Understanding the interplay between COVID-19 and diabetes: insights for the post-pandemic era
title_sort understanding the interplay between covid 19 and diabetes insights for the post pandemic era
topic COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2
diabetes
glucose metabolism
pancreatic β-cells
virus induced diabetes
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1599969/full
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