Chaim,
There was an article in Lancet (widely respected journal) that asked the same question. I do not think the article had a lot of data to support this possibility but….
The ACE2 receptor probably plays a role in much of this, I think, as the article suggests. Article link: HERE
This group of people are on often ACE inhibitors. ACE stands for angiotensin-converting enzyme.
This medicine treats hypertension and any diabetic with hypertension should be using an ACE inhibitor as treatment for hypertension because the medications prevent many of the complications of diabetes including diabetic retinopathy (eye problems) and kidney problem.
From the Lancet article: “Human pathogenic coronaviruses (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus [SARS-CoV] and SARS-CoV-2) bind to their target cells through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is expressed by epithelial cells of the lung, intestine, kidney, and blood vessels.”
Also of note, whatever you think of the anecdotal or early reports (from small studies) of hydroxychloriquine, the most plausible mechanism for any possible effect is that it reduces the expression of the ACE2 receptor.
Of possible personal use: many recommend Tylenol now and not ibuprofen if you have a fever as iboprofen increases the expression of the ACE2 receptor.
And honestly, I would switch medications if I were on an ACE inhibitor until they found a vaccine (e.g, calcium channel blocker). Or as the authors of the Lancet article say: “…we did not find any evidence to suggest that antihypertensive calcium channel blockers increased ACE2 expression or activity, therefore these could be a suitable alternative treatment in these patients.”
CDC general information links:
Information for Clinicians on Therapeutic Options for COVID-19 Patients
Best,
Jim