The connexin43 expressions and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)–positive cells when treatment with α-agonist (phenylephrine), α-2 blocker (yohimbine), and the different concentrations of α1-blocker (prazosin) in rats with nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) lesions. (A) α-Agonists treatment enhanced the connexin43 expressions and TUNEL-positive cells of the heart and lung 6 h after 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced NTS lesions. (B) α2 Blockers treatment did not change connexin43 expressions and TUNEL-positive cells of the heart and lung 6 h after 6-OHDA-induced NTS lesions. (C) There were significant decreases in the connexin43 expressions and TUNEL-positive cells of the heart and lung 6 h after 6-OHDA-induced NTS lesions among 6-OHDA versus 6-OHDA plus prazosin 0.05 mg/kg (P < 0.05), 6-OHDA versus 6-OHDA plus prazosin 0.15 mg/kg (P < 0.001), and 6-OHDA versus 6-OHDA plus prazosin 0.3 mg/kg (P < 0.001). The data represent the means ± SD. *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.001 versus the respective group 6-OHDA.