Our work demonstrates that Pio may reverse some of the type 2 diabetes-associated pathogenesis by a de novo increase of CD3+CD4+CD31+ T lymphocytes, with a concomitant reduction of pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β) and augmentation of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4) in the BBDZR/Wor type 2 diabetes rat model. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is type 2 diabetes mellitus.