OBJECTIVE: To evaluate any correlation between plasma levels of nitric oxide metabolites (NO(x)) and suicide attempt. METHOD: Plasma NO(x) levels were measured in 53 patients who had recently attempted suicide, 58 non-suicidal psychiatric patients, and 75 normal controls. The severity of suicidal behaviors was evaluated using Weisman and Worden's Risk-Rescue Rating Scale. RESULTS: Plasma NO(x) levels were significantly higher in suicidal patients than non-suicidal psychiatric patients or normal control subjects (F=11.029, d.f.=2, 183, p<0.001). Among the patients with a diagnosis of major depression, suicidal depressive patients had significantly higher plasma NO(x) levels than non-suicidal depressive patients (t=-3.090, d.f.=84, p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that increased NO production in plasma is associated with suicide attempt, especially in depressive patients. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate any correlation between plasma levels of nitric oxide metabolites (NO(x)) and suicide attempt. METHOD: Plasma NO(x) levels were measured in 53 patients who had recently attempted suicide, 58 non-suicidal psychiatricpatients, and 75 normal controls. The severity of suicidal behaviors was evaluated using Weisman and Worden's Risk-Rescue Rating Scale. RESULTS: Plasma NO(x) levels were significantly higher in suicidal patients than non-suicidal psychiatricpatients or normal control subjects (F=11.029, d.f.=2, 183, p<0.001). Among the patients with a diagnosis of major depression, suicidal depressivepatients had significantly higher plasma NO(x) levels than non-suicidal depressivepatients (t=-3.090, d.f.=84, p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that increased NO production in plasma is associated with suicide attempt, especially in depressivepatients. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.