Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T06:20:48.139Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Biochemical, metabolic and immune correlates of seasonal variation in violent suicide: a chronoepidemiologic study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

M Maes ,
S Scharpé ,
P D'Hondt ,
D Peeters ,
A Wauters ,
H Neels  and
R Verkerk
M Maes*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA and Clinical Research Center-Mental Health, Antwerp, Belgium
S Scharpé
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Antwerp, Antwerp
P D'Hondt
Affiliation:
University of Antwerp, UZA, Antwerp
D Peeters
Affiliation:
University of Antwerp, UZA, Antwerp
A Wauters
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Clinical Biology, Miaddelheim Ziekenhuis, Antwerp, Belgium
H Neels
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Clinical Biology, Miaddelheim Ziekenhuis, Antwerp, Belgium
R Verkerk
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Antwerp, Antwerp
*
*Correspondence and reprints: Dr M Maes, Director Clinical Research Center, Mental Health, University Department of Psychiatry, AZ Stuivenberg, 267 Lange Beeldekensstraat, 2060 Antwerp, Belgium.
Get access

Summary

The purpose of this chronoepidemiologic study was to investigate the time-relationships between the yearly variations in occurrence of violent suicide in Belgium and the yearly variations in various biochemical, metabolic and immune variables in the Belgian population. The weekly mean number of deaths due to violent suicide for all of Belgium for the period 1979–1987 was computed. Twenty-six normal volunteers had monthly blood samplings during one calendar year for assays of plasma L-tryptophan (L-TRP), competing amino acids (CAA), and melatonin levels, maximal [3H]paroxetine binding to platelets, serum total cholesterol, calcium, magnesium, and soluble interleukin-2 receptor concentrations, and number of CD4+ T, CD8+ T and CD20+ B lymphocytes. The annual rhythm in violent suicide rate is highly significantly synchronized with the annual rhythms in L-TRP, [3H]paroxetine binding, cholesterol, calcium, magnesium, CD20+ B cells, and CD4+/CD8+ ratio; the mean peak (violent suicide, [3H]paroxetine binding) or nadir (all other variables) occurs around 3 May. There were significant inverse time-relationships between the time series of violent suicide rate and L-TRP, L-TRP/CAA ratio, total cholesterol, calcium and magnesium, CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio and number of CD20+ B cells. Maximal [3H]paroxetine binding to platelets was significantly and positively related to the time series of violent suicide. An important part (56.4%) of the variance in mean weekly number of violent suicide rate was explained by the time series of L-TRP, cholesterol and melatonin.

Keywords

violent suicideserotoninseasonallymelatonincholesterolL-tryptophanimmunityinterleukinelectrolytes
Type
Original article
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 11 , Issue 1 , 1996 , pp. 21 - 33
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 Elsevier, Paris

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, third edition, Revised. Washington, DC,American Psychiatric Association 1987Google Scholar
Arendt, JThe pinealTouitou, YHaus, EBiologic Rhythms in Clinical and Laboratory Medicine BerlinSpringer-Verlag 1992 348362CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Arendt, JWire-Justice, ABradtke, AKornemark, MLong term studies on immunoreactive human melatonin. Ann Clin Biochem 1979; 16: 307–312CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Arora, RCMeltzer, HYSeasonal variation of imipramine binding in the blood platelets of normal controls and depressed patients. Biol Psychiatry 1988; 23: 217–226CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Asberg, MTraskman, LThoren, P5-HIAA in the cerebrospinal fluid. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1976; 33: 1193–1197CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Avioli, LVCalcium and phosphorusShils, MEYoung, VRModern Nutrition in Health and Disease BerlinLea and Febiger 1988; 142–158Google Scholar
Barraclough, BBunch, JNelson, BSainsbury, PA hundred cases of suicide: clinical aspects. Br J Psychiatry 1974; 125: 355–373CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Barraclough, BMWhite, SJMonthly variation of suicidal, accidental and undetermined poisoning deaths. Br J Psychiatry 1978; 132: 279–282CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bazas, TJemos, JStefanis, KTrichopoulos, DIncidence and seasonal variation of suicide mortality in Greece. Compr Psychiatry 1979; 20: 15–20CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Beck, ATBrown, GBerchick, RJStewart, BLSteer, RARelationship between hopelessness and ultimate suicide: a replication with psychiatric outpatients. Am J Psychiatry 1990; 147: 190–195Google ScholarPubMed
Birau, NBirau, MSchloot, WMelatonin rhythms in human serumBirau, NSchloot, WMelatonin — Current Status and Perspectives PhiladelphiaPergamon Press 1981 287295CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brewerton, TDSeasonal variation of serotonin function in humans: research and clinical implications. Ann Clin Psychiatry 1989; 1: 153–164CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brewerton, TDBerrettini, WNurnberger, JLinnoila, MAn analysis of seasonal fluctuations of CSF monoamines and neuropeptides in normal controls: findings with 5-HIAA and HVA. Psychiatr Res 1988; 23: 257–265CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brooke, EMAtkinson, MAscertainment of deaths from suicideBrooke, EMSuicide and Attempted Suicide Public Health Papers OxfordWorld Health Association 1974Google Scholar
Carlsson, ASvennerholm, LWinblad, BSeasonal and circadian monoamine variations in human brains examined post mortem Acta Psychiatr Scandsuppl 2801979 75–85CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cheetham, SCViggers, JASlater, NAHeal, DJBuckett, WR[3H]Paroxetine binding in rat frontal cortex strongly correlates with [3H]5-HT uptake: effect of administration of various antidepressant treatments. Neuropharmacol 1993; 32: 737–743CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Curzon, GSarna, GSTryptophan transport to the brain: newer findings and older ones reconsideredSchlossberger, HGKochen, WLinzen, BSteinhart, HProgress in Tryptophan and Serotonin Research GenevaWalter De Gruyter 1984 145–157Google Scholar
DeMet, EMReist, CBell, KMDecreased seasonal mesor of platelet 3H-imipramine binding in depression Biol Psychiatry 29 1991 427440CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
De Meyer, FVogelaere, PSpectral resolution of cardio-circulatory variations in men measured by autorhythmometry over 2 years. Int J Biometeorol 1991; 34: 105–121CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Meyer, FRasson, JSimon, GBourtembourg, ASpectral analysis of local geomagnetic indices — Dourbes 1960–1991. Royal Meteorological Institute, Brussels: Publication Series A 1992; 128: 1–26Google Scholar
DeMet, EMReist, CBell, KMDecreased seasonal mesor of platelet 3H-imipramine binding in depression Biol Psychiatry 29 1991 427440CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
D'Hondt, PMaes, MLeysen, JScharpe, SGommeren, WCosyns, P[3H]Paroxetine binding to platelets in depression: seasonal differences and effects of diagnostic classification. J Affect Disord 1994; 32: 27–35CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dubovsky, SLFranks, RDIntracellular calcium ions in affective disorders: a review and an hypothesis. Biol Psychiatry 1983; 18: 781–797Google Scholar
Edmunds, LNCellular and molecular aspects of circadian oscillators: models and mechanisms for biological timekeepingTouitou, YHaus, EBiological Rhythms in Clinical and Laboratory Medicine BerlinSpringer-Verlag 1992 35–54CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Engelberg, HLow serum cholesterol and suicide. Lancet 1992; 339: 727–729CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fernstrom, JDTryptophan availability and serotonin synthesis in rat brain: effects of experimental diabetesSchlossberger, HGKochen, WLinzen, BSteinhart, HProgress in Tryptophan and Serotonin Research BerlinWalter de Gruyter 1984 161172Google Scholar
Fichtner, CGArora, RCO'Connor, FLCrayton, JWPlatelet paroxetine binding and fluoxetine pharmacotherapy in posttraumatic stress disorder: preliminary observations on a possible predictor of clinical treatment response. Life Sci 1994; 54: 39–44CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Frank, HANormal serum electrolytes with a note on seasonal and menstrual variation J Lab Clin Med 49 1957 246Google Scholar
Fraser, CGHarris, EKGeneration and application of data on biological variation in clinical chemistry. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 1989; 27: 409–437CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fraser, CGBiological variation in clinical chemistry; an update: collected data, 1988–1991. Arch Pathol Lab Med 1992; 116: 916–923Google Scholar
Fraser, CGData on biological variation: essential pre-requisites for introducing new procedures. Clin Chem 1994; 40: 1671–1673CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gordon, DJTrost, DCHyde, JWhalley, FJacobs, DRSeasonal cholesterol cycles: the lipids research clinic coronary primary prevention trial placebo group. Circulation 1987; 76: 1224–1231CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gosling, PAnalytical reviews in clinical biochemistry: calcium measurements. Ann Clin Biochem 1986; 23: 446–456CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goulding, NJHall, NDRhythms in the immune system. Pharmacol Ther 1993; 58: 249–261CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gutscher, HBeyond the regulation of emotionMoller, H-JSchmidtke, AWelz, RCurrent Issues of Suicidology New YorkSpringer-Verlag 1988 390–395CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Abert, EGraham, DTahraoui, LClaustre, YLanger, SCharacterization of [3H]paroxetine binding to rat cortical membranes. Eur J Pharmacol 1985; 118: 107–114Google Scholar
Haus, EChronobiology of circulating blood cells and plateletsTouitou, YHaus, EBiologic Rhythms in Clinical and Laboratory Medicine BerlinSpringer Verlag 1992 504526CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Heron, DSShinitzky, MHershkowitz, MSamuel, DLipid fluidity markedly modulates the binding of serotonin to mouse brain membranes Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1980 77 7463–7467CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kevan, SMPerspectives on a season of suicide: a review. Soc Science Med 1980; 14: 369–378Google ScholarPubMed
Klompenhouwer, JLFekkes, Dvan Hulst, AMMoleman, PPepplinkhuizen, LMulder, PGHSeasonal variations in binding of 3H-paroxetine to blood platelets in healthy volunteers: indications for a gender difference. Biol Psychiatry 1990; 28: 509–517CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kuda, MPath analytical models for predicting suicide riskMoller, H-JSchmidtke, AWelz, RCurrent Issues of Suicidology New YorkSpringer-Verlag 1988 204–210CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lesch, KPWolozin, BLMurphy, DLReiderer, PPrimary structure of the human platelet serotonin uptake site: identity with the brain serotonin transporter. J Neurochem 1993; 60: 2319–2322CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lester, DSeasonal variation in suicide deaths. Br J Psychiatry 1971; 118: 627–628CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lévi, FCanon, CTouitou, YReinberg, AMathé, GSeasonal modulation of the circadian time structure of circulating T and natural killer lymphocyte subsets from healthy subjects. J Clin Invest 1988; 81: 407–413CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Leysen, JENiemegeers, CJEVan Nueten, JMLaduron, PM[3H]Ketanserin (R41 468), a selective 3H-ligand for serotonin2 receptor binding sites: binding properties, brain distribution, and functional role Mol Pharmacol 21 1982 301Google Scholar
Leysen, JEGommeren, WDe Clerck, PDemonstration of S2-receptor binding sites on cat blood platelets using [3H]ketanserin. Eur J Pharmacol 1983; 88: 125–130CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Libeer, JPExternal quality assessments in clinical laboratories: European perspectives, today and tomorrowDoctoral Thesis New YorkUniversity of Antwerp 1993Google Scholar
Lindberg, GRastam, LGullberg, BEklund, GALow serum cholesterol concentration and short term mortality from injuries in men and women. Br Med J 1992; 305: 277–279CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Linnoila, MVirkkunen, MScheinin, MLow cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentration differentiates impulsive from nonimpulsive violent behaviour. Life Sci 1983; 33: 2609–2614CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McMenamy, RHOncley, JLThe specific binding of L-trytophan to serum albumin. J Biol Chem 1958; 233: 1436–1440Google Scholar
Maes, MMaes, LSchotte, CClinical subtypes of unipolar depression, part III: Quantitative differences in various biological markers between the cluster analysis-generated non-vital and vital depression classes Psychiatr Res 34 1990 59–75CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Maes, MCosyns, PMeltzer, HYDe Meyer, FPeeters, DSeasonality in violent suicide but not in nonviolent suicide or homicide. Am J Psychiatry 1993; 150: 1380–1385Google ScholarPubMed
Maes, MScharpé, SMeltzer, HYCosyns, PRelationships between haptoglobin plasma levels and activation of cellmediated immunity in depression. Biol Psychiatry 1993; 34: 690–701CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Maes, MScharpé, SDe Meester, IComponents of biological variation in plasma prolyl endopeptidase and dipeptidyl peptidase activity in healthy man Clin Chem 40 1994 16861691CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Maldonado, GKraus, JFVariations in suicide occurrence by time of day, day of the week, month and lunar phase. Suicide Life Threat Behav 1991; 21: 174–187Google Scholar
Meares, RMendelsohn, FAOMilgrom-Friedman, JA sex difference in the seasonal variation of suicide rate: a single cycle for men, two cycles for women. Br J Psychiatry 1981; 138: 321–325CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mellerup, ETPlenge, PEngelstoft, MHigh affinity binding of [3H]paroxetine and [3H]imipramine to human platelet membranes. Eur J Pharmacol 1983; 96: 303–309CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moir, ATBEccleston, DThe effect of precursor loading in the cerebral metabolism of 5-hydroxyindoles. J Neurochem 1968; 15: 1093–1108CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moret, CBriley, MPlatelet 3-H-paroxetine binding to the serotonin transporter is insensitive to changes in central serotonergic innervation in the rat. Psychiatr Res 1991; 8: 97–104CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Muldoon, MFManuck, SBMathews, KMLowering cholesterol concentrations and mortality: a quantitative review of primary prevention trials.. Br Med J 1990; 301: 309–14CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nassberger, LTraskman-Benz, LIncreased soluble interleukin- 2 receptor concentrations in suicide attempters.. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1993; 88: 48–52CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ostrom, CWThe Time Series analysis: Regression TechniquesThe Tie Series analysis: Regression Techniques. In: Sullivan JL, Niemi RG.Sullivan, JLNiemi, RGQuantitative Applications in the Social Sciences LondonSage publications 1988Google Scholar
Pardridge, WMTryptophan transport through the blood-brain barrier: in vivo measurement of free and albumin-bound amino acid..Life Sci 1979; 25: 1519–28CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Plutchik, Rvan Praag, HMThe measurement of suicidality, aggresivity and impulsivity. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 1989;13:23–34CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rao, MLBioavailability of amino acids and amino acid precursors for neurotransmitter action: the role of hormonesHuether, GAmino Acid Availability and Brain Function in Health and Disease BerlinSpringer Verlag 1987 29–38Google Scholar
Reiter, RJPineal rhythmicity: neural, behavioral, and endocrine consequencesShafii, MShafii, SLBiological Rhythms, Mood Disorders, Light Therapy and the Pineal Gland Berlin 1990 American Psychiatric Press 39–68Google Scholar
Rich, CLFowler, RCFogarty, LAYoung, DSan Diego suicide study, III: relationships between diagnoses and stressors.. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1988; 45: 489–592CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rippey, RMOverview; seasonal variation in cholesterol Prev Med 10 1981 655CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Runeson, BBeskow, JBorderline personality disorder in young Swedish suicides. J Nerv Ment Disease 1991; 179: 153–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sarrias, MJArtigas, FMartinez, EGelpi, ESeasonal changes of plasma serotonin and related parameters: correlations with environmental measures. Biol Psychiatry 1989; 26: 695–706CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Shils, MEMagnesiumShils, MEYoung, VRModern Nutrition in Health and Disease PhiladelphiaLea and Febiger 1988 159–192Google Scholar
Smith, QRFukui, SRobinson, PRapaport, SIInfluence of cerebral blood flow on tryptophan uptake into brainLubec, GRosenthal, GAAmino Acids: Chemistry, Biology and Medicine LeidenEscom 1990 364–369CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smolensky, MHChronoepidemiology: chronobiology and epidemiolgyTouitou, YHaus, EBiologic Rhythms in Clinical and Laboratory Medicine BerlinSpriger-Verlag 1992 658672CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Souetre, ESalvati, EBelugou, JLDouillet, PBraccini, TDarcourt, GSeasonality of suicides: environmental, sociological and biological covariations. J Affect Disord 1987; 13: 215–225CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Swade, CCoppen, ASeasonal variations in biochemical factors related to depressive illness. J Affect Disord 1980; 2: 249–255CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Touitou, YHaus, EBiologic rhythms from biblical to modern times: a prefaceTouitou, YHaus, EBiologic Rhythms in Clinical and Laboratory Medicine BerlinSpriger-Verlag 1992 1–6CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Turnell, DCooper, JRapid assay for amino acids in serum or urine by precolumn derivatization and reversed-phase liquid chromatography. Clin Chem 1982; 28: 527–531CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vogel, RWolfersdorf, MGEstimation suicide risk among inpatients treated for depressive disordersMoller, HJSchmidtke, AWelz, RCurrent Issues of Suicidology New YorkSpringer-Verlag 1988 182–188CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wetterberg, LBeck-Friis, JKjellman, BFMelatonin as a marker for a subgroup of depression in adultsShafii, MShafii, SLBiological Rhythms, Mood Disorders, Light Therapy, and the Pineal Gland Washington DCAmerican Psychiatric Press 1990 71–95Google Scholar
Widmer, JBovier, PKarege, FRaffin, YHilleret, HGaillard, J-MTissot, REvolution of blood magnesium, sodium and potassium in depressed patients followed for three months. Neuropsychobiol 1992; 26: 173–179CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wirz-Justice, ARitcher, RSeasonality in biochemical determinations: a source of variance and a clue to the temporal incidence of affective illness. Psychiatr Res 1979; 1: 53–60CrossRefGoogle Scholar
World Health Organization Manual of the International Statistics Classification of Diseases, Injuries, and Causes of Death vol I GenevaWHO 1977Google Scholar
Yeagle, PLCholesterol and the cell membraneYeagle, PLBiology of Cholesterol Boca Raton122–145 1988Google Scholar
Yuwiler, AOldendorf, WHGeller, EThe effect of albumin binding and amino acid composition on tryptophan uptake into the brain J Neurochem 28 1977 1015–1023CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Submit a response

Comments

No Comments have been published for this article.