Fructose-rich beverages and foods consumption correlates with the epidemic rise in cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. Severity of COVID-19 has been related to these metabolic diseases. Fructose-rich foods could place people at an increased risk for severe COVID-19. We investigated whether maternal fructose intake in offspring affects hepatic and ileal gene expression of proteins that permit SARS-CoV2 entry to the cell. Carbohydrates were supplied to pregnant rats in drinking water. Adult and young male descendants subjected to water, liquid fructose alone or as a part of a Western diet, were studied. Maternal fructose reduced hepatic SARS-CoV2 entry factors expression in older offspring. On the contrary, maternal fructose boosted the Western diet-induced increase in viral entry factors expression in ileum of young descendants. Maternal fructose intake produced a fetal programming that increases hepatic viral protection and, in contrast, exacerbates fructose plus cholesterol-induced diminution in SARS-CoV2 protection in small intestine of progeny.
Keywords: ACE2, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; ADAM17, ADAM metallopeptidase domain 17; Cholesterol; Fetal programming; Fructose; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; HFCS, high fructose corn syrup; Ileum; Liver; MetS, metabolic syndrome; NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; SARS-CoV-2; SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2; SRB1, HDL-scavenger receptor B type 1; SSB, sugar-sweetened beverages; T2DM, type 2 diabetes; TMPRSS2, transmembrane protease serine 2.
© 2022 The Author(s).