Effects of saxagliptin on glucose homeostasis and body composition of obese patients with newly diagnosed pre-diabetes

•Saxagliptin effectively controls glucose levels without affecting the body weight.•Saxagliptin also improves patients’ insulin resistance and β-cell function.•Saxagliptin monotherapy can prevent or delay the progression of IGT or IFG to T2DM in obese patients.•Saxagliptin monotherapy is a credible alternative to metformin in obese pre-diabetic patients.