Low blood cholesterol and low platelet serotonin levels in violent suicide attempters.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the possible connection between serum cholesterol levels and platelet serotonin (5-HT) content in violent suicide attempters and matched controls.


METHODS
Blood samples for cholesterol and platelet 5-HT levels were obtained from 17 drug-free patients within 3 days after the suicide attempt.


RESULTS
Serum cholesterol and platelet 5-HT levels in the suicide attempters were significantly lower than in the controls; however, we did not find any significant correlation between these two variables. Indeed, three clinical dimensions are present in this patient group: suicidality, violence, and impulsiveness. Because we did not find a difference in cholesterol and platelet 5-HT levels between impulsive and nonimpulsive patients, these two indexes may more reflect the dimension of suicidality and/or violence.


CONCLUSIONS
Further investigation is necessary to study the dependence of these two peripheral abnormalities within the context of violent suicidal behavior.
Alvarez
J C
JC
Faculté de Médecine Paris-Ouest, Centre Hospitalier de Versailles, Le Chesnay, France.
Cremniter
D
D
Lesieur
P
P
Gregoire
A
A
Gilton
A
A
Macquin-Mavier
I
I
Jarreau
C
C
Spreux-Varoquaux
O
O
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000737:chemistry*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D014754:Violence
D012701:Serotonin; D002784:Cholesterol