Biological plausibility for interactions between dietary fat, resveratrol, ACE2, and SARS-CoV illness severity

Abstract

Horne JR, Vohl MC. Biological plausibility for interactions between dietary fat, resveratrol, ACE2, and SARS-CoV illness severity. The angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) cellular receptor is responsible for the pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), thus impacting the entrance and clearance of the virus. Studies demonstrate that upregulation of ACE2 has a protective effect on SARS-CoV-2 illness severity. Moreover, animal studies demonstrate that dietary intake can modulate ACE2 gene expression and function. A high intake of resveratrol may have a protective role, upregulating ACE2, whereas a high intake of dietary fat may have a detrimental role, downregulating ACE2. As such, we postulate on the biological plausibility of interactions between dietary fat and/or resveratrol and ACE2 gene variations in the modulation of SARS-CoV-2 illness severity. We call to action the research community to test this plausible interaction in a sample of human subjects.

Key Aspects in Nutritional Management of COVID-19 Patients

“…Resveratrol is a polyphenol belonging to the group of stilbenes, naturally found in red wine, berries, grapes, nuts, and other foodstuffs. Horne et al (2020) reviewed the biological interaction between resveratrol and the ACE2 receptor described in four studies that have been published to date [48]. As explained in the Introduction section, SARS-CoV-2 uses the ACE2 receptor to enter the…”

“…Resveratrol is a polyphenol belonging to the group of stilbenes, naturally found in red wine, berries, grapes, nuts, and other foodstuffs. Horne et al (2020) reviewed the biological interaction between resveratrol and the ACE2 receptor described in four studies that have been published to date [48]. As explained in the Introduction section, SARS-CoV-2 uses the ACE2 receptor to enter the mammalian cells, as well as the transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), involved in the viral spike-(S) protein cleavage, which in turn mediates the fusion of virus and cellular membranes necessary for viral entry (Figure 1).…”

Prevention and Management of Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome in the Time of COVID-19: Should We Add a Cup of Coffee?

“…A recent meta-analysis indicated that resveratrol may improve cardiometabolic status and alleviate certain risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including insulin resistance and elevated cholesterol levels ( 62 ). Furthermore, previous studies demonstrated that resveratrol can deactivate the renin-angiotensin system ( 63 , 64 ) and have a protective role by upregulating ACE2 ( 65 ). Interestingly, as the recent report suggested, resveratrol can be a promising anti-COVID-19 drug candidate, likely acting through interference with the viral spike protein function ( 66 ).…”

Insight into Polyphenol and Gut Microbiota Crosstalk: Are Their Metabolites the Key to Understand Protective Effects against Metabolic Disorders?

“…In this context, epidemiological and animal food intervention studies have established a solid association between the consumption of polyphenol-rich foods or beverages and their preventive influence on complex diseases, including insulin resistance (IR) [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ], type 2 diabetes (T2D) [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ], obesity [ 5 , 9 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ], cardiovascular diseases (CVD) [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ], neurodegenerative disorders [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ], and cancer [ 22 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Recently, polyphenols have also been suggested as plausible adjunctive therapeutic agents for the COVID-19-induced inflammatory storm [ 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”