The purposes of this study is to compare two inhaled corticosteroids (beclomethasone dipropionate and fluticasone propionate), administered at doses of increasing biosystemic effect in patients with persistent asthma, for efficacy and adverse reactions. A total of 24 subjects will be enrolled. The study is 24 hours long and involves 17 visits; four of these visits require an overnight stay at the GCRC, the other visits last between 30 minutes and 2 and 1/2 hours, depending on the visit. The activities vary in each visit, but they are one or a combination of the following: blood and urine samples, lung function testing with beta agonist reversal (spirometry), methacholine challenge, exhaled nitric oxide, ACTH stimulation test, exercise test, sputum induction, allergen skin testing, urine pregnancy test for females and measurement of peak flow. The efficacy parameters that will be evaluated in the pilot study include FEV1, post bronchodilator maximum FEV1, change in PC20 based on methacholine-induced bronchospasm and inhibition of exercise-induced bronchospasm. Additional outcomes include: resolution of inflammation based on changes in sputum cytology, rate of improvement in FEV1 over time, changes in exhaled nitric oxide, symptom free days, and changes in asthma control. Cortisol suppression will be used as an adverse effect of the drugs.
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