mBio (Aug 2020)

Can Dietary Fatty Acids Affect the COVID-19 Infection Outcome in Vulnerable Populations?

  • J. C. Onishi,
  • M. M. Häggblom,
  • S. A. Shapses

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.01723-20
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 4

Abstract

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ABSTRACT There is high mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-infected individuals with chronic inflammatory diseases, like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. A cytokine storm in some patients after infection contributes to this mortality. In addition to lungs, the intestine is targeted during COVID-19 infection. The intestinal membrane serves as a barrier to prevent leakage of microorganisms and their products into the bloodstream; however, dietary fats can affect the gut microbiome and may increase intestinal permeability. In obese or diabetic individuals, there is an increase in the abundance of either Gram-negative bacteria in the gut or their product, endotoxin, in systemic circulation. We speculate that when the COVID-19 infection localizes in the intestine and when the permeability properties of the intestinal membrane are compromised, an inflammatory response is generated when proinflammatory endotoxin, produced by resident Gram-negative bacteria, leaks into the systemic circulation. This review discusses conditions contributing to inflammation that are triggered by microbially derived factors from the gut.

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