SARS-CoV-2 reservoirs in the gut cause long COVID gastrointestinal issues by disrupting the VLCFA-PPAR-peroxisome axis. This impairment halts intestinal stem cell differentiation and epithelial repair. Treatments like fenofibrate restore regeneration and alleviate symptoms.

References:

• Wang M, Chen Y, Guo M, et al. Impaired VLCFA-peroxisome-mediated intestinal epithelial repair causes gastrointestinal sequelae of long COVID[J]. Developmental Cell, 2026.