Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Saxagliptin may maintain beta-cell function in type 1 diabetes

Last updated September 9, 2026

Key finding

The change of C-peptide max levels from baseline to 24 weeks in SAXA group was higher than in CONT group (p = 0.040).

This study evaluated saxagliptin as an adjunct to insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes. It found no significant differences in glycemic control between the two treatment groups.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Medium-Term (3–12 mo)

Risk of bias

High Risk

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Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.

Study focus

This study evaluated saxagliptin as an adjunct to insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes. It found no significant differences in glycemic control between the two treatment groups.

Clinical relevance

Understanding the effectiveness of adjunct therapies in managing type 1 diabetes is crucial for optimizing treatment plans. While saxagliptin did not improve glycemic control, the increase in C-peptide levels may suggest some metabolic benefits that warrant further investigation.

Keep in mind

The study may have limited generalizability due to its specific population. The sample size and duration may not be sufficient to detect long-term effects. Outcomes were primarily focused on glycemic control without assessing quality of life.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Yun S, Min S, Yong G, et al. Saxagliptin as an adjunct to insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial. Nutrition & Diabetes. 2026;16:5. doi:10.1038/s41387-026-00411-3

Main Effects

No differences were observed in MAGE after 24 weeks.

C-peptide max levels increased significantly in the saxagliptin group (p = 0.040).

No differences were observed in HbA1c levels after 24 weeks.

No differences were observed in insulin dosage after 24 weeks.

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Insulin only, Saxagliptin plus insulin and C-peptide, HbA1c, Insulin dosage per weight (unit/kg/day), and 1 more.

Primary intervention

Insulin only

Primary outcomes

  • C-peptide
  • HbA1c
  • Insulin dosage per weight (unit/kg/day)

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

8
Evidence pairs
8
Relationships
4
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.

Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 72

4

Related topics

8

Evidence pairs

1074

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 8 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 4 direct semantic evidence topics

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

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Primary evidence

Evidence topic

C-Peptide

matched_outcome

Related evidence

Evidence topic

Glucose Variability

Save evidence

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

C-peptide

Insulin only → C-peptide

Insulin only → C-peptide

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

HbA1c

Insulin only → HbA1c

Insulin only → HbA1c

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Insulin dosage per weight (unit/kg/day)

Insulin only → Insulin dosage per weight (unit/kg/day)

Insulin only → Insulin dosage per weight (unit/kg/day)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE)

Insulin only → Mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE)

Insulin only → Mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

C-peptide

Saxagliptin plus insulin → C-peptide

Saxagliptin plus insulin → C-peptide

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

HbA1c

Saxagliptin plus insulin → HbA1c

Saxagliptin plus insulin → HbA1c

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Insulin dosage per weight (unit/kg/day)

Saxagliptin plus insulin → Insulin dosage per weight (unit/kg/day)

Saxagliptin plus insulin → Insulin dosage per weight (unit/kg/day)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE)

Saxagliptin plus insulin → Mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE)

Saxagliptin plus insulin → Mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

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evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • C-peptide max levels increased in the saxagliptin group (p = 0.040).
  • No significant changes in HbA1c or insulin dosage were found.
  • MAGE remained unchanged after 24 weeks of treatment.
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Adults with type 1 diabetes receiving insulin therapy.
  • Patients interested in adjunct therapies for diabetes management.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • The findings may not apply to populations outside the study's demographics.
  • Long-term effects of saxagliptin were not assessed in this trial.
  • The study did not evaluate the impact on patient quality of life.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • The study may have limited generalizability due to its specific population.
  • The sample size and duration may not be sufficient to detect long-term effects.
  • Outcomes were primarily focused on glycemic control without assessing quality of life.

Evidence Library

Build your evidence library

Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.

Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

This study contributes to evidence on Insulin only and C-peptide Levels, Insulin only and HbA1c.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Explorer

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
View evidence

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does Insulin only improve c-peptide?

Emerging Evidence

Insulin only appears to improve c-peptide.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    C-peptide

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study

Does Saxagliptin plus insulin improve c-peptide?

Emerging Evidence

Saxagliptin plus insulin appears to improve c-peptide.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    C-peptide

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study

Does Insulin only lower HbA1c?

Emerging Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Insulin only for HbA1c.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    HbA1c

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study

Does Insulin only improve insulin dosage per weight (unit/kg/day)?

Emerging Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Insulin only for insulin dosage per weight (unit/kg/day).

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Insulin dosage per weight (unit/kg/day)

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study
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