study published in the journal "Frontiers." The most susceptible cells are called beta cells, which are responsible for making insulin.
Earlier studies found that once COVID-19 has infected the beta cells, it can replicate, making more copies of itself and spreading to other cells.
FILE - A woman receives a blood glucose test to check for possible diabetes. RELATED: Studies suggest serious COVID-19 infection can lead to diabetes Pancreatic cells that become infected by COVID-19 inhibit them from producing insulin, which is a hormone that helps the human body regulate the amount of glucose that gets absorbed into muscles, fat cells and the liver.