Serum ghrelin and cholesterol values in suicide attempters

In our previous study, we demonstrated that suicide attempters had statistically significant lower leptin and cholesterol levels compared with healthy controls. In keeping with our previous report regarding lower serum cholesterol and leptin levels in suicide attempters compared with healthy controls, the relationship between cholesterol and leptin, and ghrelin, we aimed to evaluate serum total cholesterol and ghrelin levels in suicide attempters. In the present study, 30 patients with suicide attempts (aged 18-47 years) and the same number of healthy controls were compared with regard to serum total cholesterol and ghrelin levels. The mean cholesterol level of the patients was significantly lower than that of the controls. On the other hand, the suicide attempters had significantly higher ghrelin levels compared with the controls. The results suggest that suicide attempts seem to be associated with decreased serum cholesterol and higher ghrelin values. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.