Journal of Psychiatry

Abstract

Association between Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and Suicidal Risk in Patients with Schizophrenia

Mensi Rym, Messaoud Ame, Hellara Ilhem, Amamou Badii, Neffati Fadoua, Douki Wahiba, Najjar Mohamed Fadhel and Gaha Lotfi

Background: There have been many studies on psychiatric disorders, but very little is known about the biology of suicide with schizophrenia. In the present study, we are looking for a possible connection between paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and suicidal behavior in schizophrenic Tunisian patients. Methods: Assay of PON1 has been done for 170 schizophrenic patients with and without suicide attempts and 119 healthy controls. All patients enrolled in the study were evaluated by psychometric scales (PANSS, EGF, CGI, BPRS and CALGARY). Results:In our study, a significant decrease in the enzymatic activity of PON1 was found in schizophrenia patients compared to controls. PON1 was also significantly lower in schizophrenic patients with suicide attempt compared to those without suicide attempt. In our work, a weak correlation between the psychometric scale CGI severity of the disease, PON1 activity and suicidal act was found. Conclusions:Results of this study showed that PON 1 levels in schizophrenic patients after suicide attempt was significantly lower than in patients with suicide attempt. PON1 may be one of the biological markers of susceptibility to suicide in patients with schizophrenia.