Role of COVID-19 in Hepatic Damage and Its Cellular Entrance and Mechanism of Action: A Mini-Review
Context: COVID-19 induces damage to the liver in addition to the pulmonary system. This event can alter hepatic biochemical and histological variables. Therefore, the present mini-review study investigated the effect of COVID-19 on hepatic damages and its cellular mechanism of action. Evidence Acquisition: In this mini-review study, the effects of COVID-19 on liver cells were sought in PubMed without restriction. The related components were searched in the Me SH term system and also used in two groups of COVID-19 and hepatocytes in combination with each other. Then, the titles and abstracts of the selected articles were assessed, and unrelated articles were removed. Results and Conclusion: COVID-19 leads to liver tissue damage and hepatocyte apoptosis by inducing increased cytokines, ischemia, and hepatic hypoxia following cardiorespiratory failure, coagulation disorders, and intracellular calcium. The SARS-CoV-2 virus exerts this effect through the ACE2 receptor and increasing its expression in cholangiocytes.