Changes in serum isoamylase activities after fibergastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy. Isoamylase after FGDS and FCS.

The effects of endoscopic examination on the changes in serum amylase activity were investigated in hospitalized patients without salivary and pancreatic disorders. Sixty-nine patients were selected for the peroral fibergastroduodenal endoscopy and twenty-three patients for the peranal fibercolonoscopy. Blood samples were drawn before, immediately after, 4 hrs and 24 hrs after the termination of the examinations. The serum activities of the salivary type isoamylase increased in 7 out of 69 cases 4 hrs after the examination with the fibergastroduodenoscope, but none in all 23 cases after the examination with the fibercolonoscope. On the other hand, the serum activity of the pancreatic type isoamylase did not change following both examinations. A significant rise in serum cortisol levels was induced by both examinations. There were no correlations between the rise in salivary type isoamylase and that in serum cortisol levels. These results did not suggest that the increase of salivary type isoamylase was mediated by the hypophysio-adrenocortical axis. Other possible mechanisms were discussed.