Diseases of the digestive organs and COVID-19

With a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), gastroenterological symptoms are often detected, which is due to both the damage to the digestive organs by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and the exacerbation of chronic diseases, as well as aggressive multicomponent therapy. The severity of gastroenterological manifestations, primarily impaired liver function, is associated with a more severe and complicated course of COVID-19 infection. Numerous mechanisms of damage to the digestive organs in COVID-19 have been identified: direct damage by the virus due to resuscitation and multicomponent therapy, impaired central and peripheral nervous regulation, immunothrombotic syndrome, virus persistence in the gastrointestinal tract, induction of autoimmune reactions by the virus, humoral disorders (changes in serotonin levels, bradykinin, activation of mast cells). Violation of the microbial-tissue complex of the intestine and the permeability of the intestinal barrier, induced by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, ensures the formation and progression of chronic systemic inflammation, cytokine aggression, insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, which affect the severity of the infection. Therapy for patients with COVID-19 should include therapeutic approaches aimed at correcting disorders of the intestinal microbiota, intestinal barrier permeability, and relief of gastroenterological manifestations (bibliography: 20 refs).