Long COVID, ME/CFS, and the Selenoprotein Axis: Post-Viral Selenoprotein Depletion, GPx4-Mediated Lipid Oxidative Damage, and CoQ10 Deficiency as Convergent Mechanisms of Persistent Fatigue

Key Points

• This paper aims to explore the shared mechanisms of Long COVID and ME/CFS, focusing on selenoprotein depletion and oxidative damage.
• Proposes mechanisms linking selenoprotein depletion and oxidative damage in Long COVID and ME/CFS.
• Reviews studies on GPx4-mediated lipid oxidative damage in immune cells.
• Discusses clinical findings on CoQ10 and selenium supplementation effects on fatigue in ME/CFS.
• Confirmed GPx4-mediated oxidative damage as a common feature in ME/CFS and Long COVID immune cells.
• Demonstrated that CoQ10 and selenium supplementation improved fatigue severity in ME/CFS patients.
• Identified pre-existing vulnerabilities in the Selenoprotein Axis as predictors for Long COVID susceptibility.