A study that has not yet been published in scientific journals but has been shared online and disseminated by researchers shows that the Coronavirus attacks human adipose tissue and even uses it as a reservoir for infection.
According to endocrinologist and sports medicine specialist Gisele Lorenzoni, researchers from Stanford are producing evidence that the study is true. “Since the beginning of the pandemic, it has been noted that obese patients were more vulnerable to the disease in its most severe form and prone to death. Now, the study has found that the Coronavirus infects fat cells and immune system cells,” the doctor states. “It’s as if the virus hides in adipose tissue,” she reports.
And there is a warning to clarify that adipose tissue is not just a fat deposit. “For those who are obese, the tissue is a source of systemic inflammation, meaning it is a very important part of the immune system, which is why obesity contributes to so many other diseases,” explains the endocrinologist.
Thus, the research shows that the Coronavirus can directly infect adipose tissue and generate a chain of other inflammations. “Those who are obese need to take extra care, get vaccinated, and keep an eye on further results,” Gisele explains. For us in the medical field, it is another aggravating factor for the obese and helps us explain the poor Covid-19 outcomes related to them.
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