- Coronavirus attacks vulnerable pathways in the lungs of smokers and patients with COPD, a new study suggests.
- Those with COPD or who currently smoke have a greater amount of an enzyme that coronavirus uses as an “entry point.”
- Quitting smoking lowers the amount of this enzyme in the lungs and could help prevent serious COVID-19 complications.
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The novel coronavirus pandemic has affected individuals of all ages, races, and backgrounds, but some experience far more serious symptoms than others. Determining what risk factors play the biggest role in the severity of a COVID-19 infection is paramount to saving lives, and new research suggests a reason why smokers and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are at a much higher risk of serious infections.
The research, which was led by Dr. Janice Leung of the University of British Columbia and St. Paul’s Hosptial, focuses on a molecule called ACE-2. ACE-2 (which stands for angiotensin converting enzyme II) is believed to act like an open doorway for coronavirus to infect lung cells, and new data suggests that smokers and those with COPD have far more of these “entry points” in their lungs than those with healthy lungs.
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Why coronavirus is so much worse for smokers originally appeared on BGR.com on Thu, 9 Apr 2020 at 13:24:45 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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