Nitrite significantly (all <i>P</i>-values<0.05) decreased gene expression of Nox1 (0.39-fold) and Nox4 (0.23-fold) and increased gene expression of SOD1 (2.2-fold), SOD2 (2.8-fold), catalase (2.7-fold), GPX1 (2.2-fold), GPX7 (6.0-fold), GR (3.0-fold), TXN1 (2.1-fold), and TXNRD1 (2.3-fold) in diabetic rats.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Nitrite decreased oxidative stress in isolated pancreatic islets of rats with T2D by suppressing oxidants and augmenting anti-oxidants. The gene discussed is SOD1; the disease is type 2 diabetes mellitus.