gut microbiome diet
Yam Protects Immunocompromised Mice from Influenza Infection via the Gut-SCFA-GPCR-Immune Axis
2 June 2026
Li Q, Qu X, Li M, Song Y, Xu Q, Wang Q, Dong H, Wang X, Liu Q.
Summary
What the study found
This research shows that consuming yam can significantly boost the immune system in mice with weakened immunity by modulating the gut-immune axis. The results suggest that yam intake helps the body fight off influenza infections by improving the gut environment and increasing the production of protective metabolic byproducts.
Key findings
- Yam consumption promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which signal the immune system to activate.
- The study observed an increase in antibody production, specifically IgA, IgG, and IgM, which are essential for neutralizing pathogens.
- Yam strengthened gut barrier integrity by increasing proteins like claudin and ZO-1, which prevent harmful substances from leaking into the body.
- Infected mice treated with yam exhibited a much lower influenza viral load and significantly less inflammation in their lung tissues.
Practical takeaways
Adding yam to a balanced diet may help maintain immune health and provide extra protection against seasonal viruses. This root vegetable acts as a functional food that supports both digestive health and systemic immunity through the gut-lung connection.
Limitations
Because this study used a mouse model, clinical trials are needed to determine the specific amount of yam humans would need to eat to see similar benefits. The research also focused on a specific type of chemical-induced immunosuppression, which may differ from natural immune decline.
Abstract
<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Immunodeficiency can be induced by a variety of factors, such as aging, stress and poor nutrition, and leads to increased susceptibility to infection and disease. The current research was conducted to determine the immunoenhancing potential of yam and its underlying mechanism in a murine model of cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppression. <b>Methods</b>: The gut microbial community and generation of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in response to yam were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing and GC-MS. The immune cells in the spleen were analyzed using flow cytometry. GPR41/GPR43/GPR109A triple-knockout mice were used to demonstrate the critical involvement of SCFAs in mediating the protective effect of yam, and RNA-sequencing technology was applied to investigate the potential mechanism by which yam orchestrated the observed metabolic, immune and reparative responses. <b>Results</b>: Yam alleviated the decline in spleen and thymus indices and modulated the frequency of B cells and CD4<sup>+</sup> and CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells and promoted the production of IgA, IgG and IgM. Yam increased the secretion of cytokines in the intestine and upregulated the levels of claudin and ZO-1. Yam also increased the content of SCFAs and induced beneficial modifications to the gut microbiota composition. The immune-enhancing activity of yam was confirmed, as evidenced by a notable decrease in viral load in immunosuppressed mice inoculated with influenza virus and its capacity to mitigate inflammatory response in pulmonary tissues. <b>Conclusions</b>: This study suggests that yam enhances immunity by synergistically regulating the gut-immune axis, supporting its development as a functional food intervention in managing immunodeficiency conditions.
Source study →