The findings may explain why people with metabolic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, who often have elevated cholesterol levels, make up a disproportionate number of patients who develop severe Covid-19 symptoms. Researchers state this 'enhances viral uptake' and the cholesterol receptor 'facilitates SARS-CoV-2 entry into ACE2-expressing cells by augmenting virus attachment'. They say that targeting the SR-B1 receptor could be a potential avenue for future treatments. 'Approximately half of patients with COVID-19 have chronic underlying diseases, mainly cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and diabetes. NHS data from April reveals almost a third (29 per cent) of coronavirus patients had heart disease and nearly a fifth (19 per cent) were diabetic.

Source: Daily Mail November 26, 2020 14:41 UTC