COVID-19-associated diarrhea

Figure 1 Mechanism involved in coronavirus disease 2019-associated diarrhea. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) binds to its corresponding cell-surface receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme type 2. In the intestines, SARS-CoV-2 viroporins, E protein, dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system triggering ionic imbalance, disruption of barrier integrity and inflammation play important roles in the development of coronavirus disease 2019-associated secretory diarrhea and leaky gut. ACE: Angiotensin-converting enzyme; IFN: Interferon; IL: Interleukin; TNFα: tumor necrosis factor alpha; CFTR: CF transmembrane conductance regulator; CaCC: Ca²⁺-activated Cl^- channel; NHE3: Na⁺-H⁺ exchanger 3.