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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Chemiluminescence-based Assays for Detection of Nitric Oxide and its Derivatives from Autoxidation and Nitrosated Compounds
Published on: February 16, 2022
Increased plasma nitric oxide metabolites in suicide attempters
Bun-Hee Lee1, Sung-Woo Lee, Dokyung Yoon
1Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
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.
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