BackgroundDipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) are emerging glucose-lowering agents through interacting with DPP-4 substrate, impact of which on systemic inflammation in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of DPP-4i on modulating serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in T2DM.MethodsPubMed, Cochrane library and Embase databases were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with comparators were selected. A random-effects model was used for quantitative data analysis. Heterogeneity was evaluated with I-2 index. Sensitivity analysis was performed using the one-study remove approach.ResultsSixteen trials with 1607 patients with T2DM were included. Pooled analysis of DPP-4i demonstrated a significant decrease in serum CRP concentrations (-0.86mg/L, 95% CI, -1.36 to -0.36). No significant difference was found between DPP-4i and active comparators on serum CRP concentrations (0.64mg/L, 95% CI, -0.10 to 1.37). Pooled analysis proved to be stable and credible by sensitivity analysis. In subgroup analysis, changes in serum concentrations of CRP were significantly associated with short diabetes duration (-0.23mg/L, 95% CI, -0.41 to -0.05).ConclusionsDDP-4i effectively reduced serum CRP levels and showed no stronger effect than traditional oral antidiabetic agents.International Prospective Register for Systematic Review (PROSPERO) number: CRD42017076838.