SARS-CoV-2 doesn’t produce a classic toxin.
But it reprograms our lipid metabolism so deeply that the cell enters a toxic, pro-inflammatory, oxidative state.
Functionally, it behaves like a toxin-like infection🧵
But it reprograms our lipid metabolism so deeply that the cell enters a toxic, pro-inflammatory, oxidative state.
Functionally, it behaves like a toxin-like infection🧵
https://twitter.com/atranscendedman/status/1977744888344043560
A new study analyzed sweat from 426 people using GC-MS.
The lipid profile alone could distinguish COVID+ from COVID− with >80% accuracy.
But what they found looks eerily similar to systemic envenoming - just without a snake.
The lipid profile alone could distinguish COVID+ from COVID− with >80% accuracy.
But what they found looks eerily similar to systemic envenoming - just without a snake.
In COVID+ individuals, two lipids rise sharply.
Palmitic acid + oleic acid
These lipids -
stabilize the spike protein (via palmitoylation),
activate inflammasomes,
disrupt mitochondria.
They create the biochemical foundation of a toxic state.
Palmitic acid + oleic acid
These lipids -
stabilize the spike protein (via palmitoylation),
activate inflammasomes,
disrupt mitochondria.
They create the biochemical foundation of a toxic state.
Meanwhile, protective lipids drop.
Palmitoleate (anti-inflammatory lipokine)
Cerotate (peroxisomal function)
Squalene (antioxidant, skin barrier)
Loss of these defenses = more oxidative damage, weaker membranes, slower recovery.
Palmitoleate (anti-inflammatory lipokine)
Cerotate (peroxisomal function)
Squalene (antioxidant, skin barrier)
Loss of these defenses = more oxidative damage, weaker membranes, slower recovery.
The result is a shift
from anti-inflammatory to pro-inflammatory lipids, from cellular balance to lipid toxicity.
Mechanistically, this mirrors what phospholipase toxins do - break membranes and trigger inflammation.
from anti-inflammatory to pro-inflammatory lipids, from cellular balance to lipid toxicity.
Mechanistically, this mirrors what phospholipase toxins do - break membranes and trigger inflammation.
SARS-CoV-2 gains an advantage by doing this
hijacks host lipids for replication,
weakens structural barriers,
amplifies inflammation,
leaves behind long-lasting metabolic scars.
hijacks host lipids for replication,
weakens structural barriers,
amplifies inflammation,
leaves behind long-lasting metabolic scars.
So the toxin-like label isn’t a strong metaphor.
It’s a biochemical reality
metabolic rewiring - lipid peroxidation - cellular injury.
Same principle as toxins - different origin.
It’s a biochemical reality
metabolic rewiring - lipid peroxidation - cellular injury.
Same principle as toxins - different origin.
The virus doesn’t carry a toxin.
It makes us produce it.
From our own fatty acids, enzymes, and membranes.
That’s the quiet genius - and the danger - of SARS-CoV-2.
It makes us produce it.
From our own fatty acids, enzymes, and membranes.
That’s the quiet genius - and the danger - of SARS-CoV-2.
Soler-Jiménez et al., Solid-phase microextraction of sweat components of patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 for identification of possible biomarkers. nature.com/articles/s4159…
Interestingly, the same toxin-like signature appears in snakebite victims.
↑ Palmitic acids
↓ squalene
↑ lipid oxidation
The sweat chemistry looks similar.
The difference?
A snake injects the toxin.
SARS-CoV-2 makes your own cells produce it from within.
↑ Palmitic acids
↓ squalene
↑ lipid oxidation
The sweat chemistry looks similar.
The difference?
A snake injects the toxin.
SARS-CoV-2 makes your own cells produce it from within.
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