Introduction: Oxidative stress plays critical role in aging and pathogenesis of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. However, its role in suicidal behavior is not clarified yet. Consequently, we aimed to evaluate the oxidant-antioxidant status in the serum of suicide attempters in Ilam city. Methods: 50 suicide attempters and 40 control subjects (volunteers) aged 18-35 years were studied in the current experiment. In order to consider the oxidant-antioxidant status, serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured. Results: Serum levels of SOD enzyme and TAC were significantly lower in suicide attempters group compared to the controls. Furthermore, serum NO level was significantly higher in the suicide attempters in compare with the controls. Interestingly, the serum level of MDA was significantly lower in the suicide attempters compared to the controls. Conclusion: Presence of oxidative stress without MDA elevation, which has been detected in suicide attempters can be considered as a biochemical hallmark in suicide behavior.

Background: To determine whether neuronal damage and/or neuroinflammation exist in the brain of suicide attempters and to find a novel biological biomarker to help distinguishing high risk individuals with suicide behavior, we aimed to measure glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neuron specific enolase (NSE), and nerve growth factor (NGF) in suicide attempters. Methods: In the present case-control study, the serum level of NSE, GFAP, and NGF were measured quantitatively in 43 suicide attempters and 43 healthy control participants aged 18 to 35 years. Data were analyzed using the nonpaired t test followed by the Mann-Whitney posttest. Results: The mean serum level of NSE and GFAP were significantly higher in suicide attempters compared with healthy control individuals ( p = 0.003, p = 0.001, respectively), while no significant difference was detected in NGF serum level between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Our findings of increased level of NSE along with the significant increase in GFAP would propose the presence of low grade neuroinflammation in the brain of these participants. NSE/GFAP might be good markers that is easily accessible and can be considered as prognostic markers in high-risk suicide attempters.