The Level of Serotonin and the Parameters of Lipid Metabolism Are Dependent on the Mental Status of Patients with Suicide Attempts

Suicidal behavior is an important public health problem often associated with psychological and biological factors. Understanding the role of biochemical markers, such as cholesterol and serotonin levels, may provide insight into the mechanisms underlying suicidal tendencies. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between lipid profile parameters, serotonin levels, and psychological status in individuals who had attempted suicide. Patients with suicidal attempts underwent a psychiatric evaluation and blood samples were taken to measure serotonin levels, total cholesterol, and lipid metabolism parameters. Psychological assessments included measures of depression, stress, and hopelessness; assessments of motivation; suicidal tendencies; and assessments of psychological and physical aspects of fear of death. The study found a significant positive correlation between serotonin and cholesterol levels (r = 0.6883, p < 0.0001). Lower levels of serotonin and cholesterol were associated with higher rates of depression and stress. These findings suggest that dyslipidemia may be associated with reduced serotonin function, which may contribute to the development of suicidal behavior. The study highlights the potential role of cholesterol and serotonin in the development of suicidal behavior, along with the mental status of patients. Evaluating the interaction of neurobiological and social–psychological factors provide an opportunity to search for peripheral biomarkers of suicide risk.