Vitamin D, renin-angiotensin system, and COVID-19 - their importance in diabetes

The SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and has created much interest in the mechanisms of its infection and expression of this disease. To date, the majority of aspects remain to be investigated in the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV2 infection, especially in diabetic patients. One of these aspects is the correlation between angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a part of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and SARS-CoV-2 infection. ACE2 has been recognized as a potential entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2. This review discusses the role of RAS and ACE2 in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 in patients with diabetes. Moreover, we will explain the role of vitamin D in regulating the RAS in COVID-19.