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. 2022 Jan;162(1):9-16.
doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.09.009. Epub 2021 Sep 8.

Targeting the Gut Microbiota in Coronavirus Disease 2019: Hype or Hope?

Harry Cheuk-Hay Lau  1 , Siew C Ng  2 , Jun Yu  1
Affiliations

Targeting the Gut Microbiota in Coronavirus Disease 2019: Hype or Hope?

Harry Cheuk-Hay Lau et al. Gastroenterology. 2022 Jan.
No abstract available

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Infection begins with the binding of SARS-CoV-2 to ACE-2 expressed in the membrane of intestinal epithelium cells. Enrichment of opportunistic pathogens (eg, C hathewayi) and depletion of commensal probiotics (eg, F prausnitzii) occur after viral infection. Reduction in functional ACE-2 leads to leaky gut syndrome with increased permeability of the gut barrier and an impaired mucous layer. Pathogens and harmful metabolites (eg, guanosine, L-serine) can enter the systemic circulation and contribute to inflammation with exaggerated production of proinflammatory cytokines (eg, CXCL10, tumor necrosis factor-α). Dietary intervention, prebiotics, and probiotics can restore the balance of gut microbiota and replenish the loss of ACE-2 on SARS-CoV-2 infection. These facilitate the repair of the gut barrier, thus reducing bacterial translocation and alleviating inflammation. The growth of probiotics and synthesis of beneficial metabolites (eg, SCFAs) can also be stimulated, thereby hastening recovery. (Figure was created with BioRender.com.)
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