OBJECTIVES: We tested whether Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, Interlukin-1β, and lipid profile might be associated with suicide attempts in adult patients with major depression.

DESIGN AND METHODS: Plasma levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, Interleukin-1β, and lipid profile were analyzed in 60 adult patients with major depression diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria for Major depression (22 suicidal attempters and 38 patients without suicidal ideas), and 30 healthy controls.

RESULTS: At univariate analyses, plasma level of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha and Triglyceride were significantly higher in suicide attempters and non-suicidal attempter depressed patients than those of healthy control (all p