To explore the clinical effect of saxagliptin on release of peripheral blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)in elder patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A total of 110 newly-diagnosed elder patients with type 2 diabetes were assigned into 2 groups(both n=55). Trial group was treated with exercise-diet therapy and saxagliptin at 5 mg/d(SG group),while control group with exercise-diet therapy and repaglinide(RG group). NLR were evaluated in both groups before treatment without significant difference(P>0.05). After 12 weeks'treatment, NLR were both lowered. Decrease of NLR in SG group was more significant than that of RG group(P<0.05).