Intestinal expression of ACE2 in mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity and neonates exposed to maternal high-fat diet.

Objective: The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is threatening global health and is especially pronounced in patients with chronic metabolic syndromes. Meanwhile, a significant proportion of patients present with digestive symptoms since angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is the receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is highly expressed in the intestine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) and a maternal HFD on the intestinal ACE2 levels in adults and neonates.