title: Beclomethasone dipropionate blunts allergen-induced early increase in urinary LTE4.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The inhibitory effect of corticosteroids (CS) on the secretions of cysteinyl-leukotrienes (Cys-LTs) in asthma is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of CS on allergen-induced increase in urinary leukotriene E4 (uLTE4) during early (EAR) and late (LAR) asthmatic responses in mild untreated asthmatics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine subjects with mild untreated allergic asthma performed two allergen challenges, after 1-week treatment with beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP, 500 microg b.i.d) or placebo. Forced Expiratory Volume in one second 1 (FEV1) was monitored to assess EAR and LAR, and uLTE4 was measured before and during EAR and LAR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After placebo, uLTE4 increased significantly during EAR, but not during and after LAR, in comparison with baseline values. Beclomethasone dipropionate induced a significant attenuation of the uLTE4 increase during EAR, in comparison with placebo, in association with a good protection of LAR (P = 0.002) and a mild protection of EAR (P = 0.07).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Beclomethasone dipropionate blunts the early increase in uLTE4 excretion due to allergen challenge, in association with a significant effect on the severity of LAR. These data support the hypothesis that inhaled CS may inhibit the allergen-induced release of cys-LTs in asthma.
authors.affiliation: Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Laura
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bartoli
authors.forename: Federico Lorenzo
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Dente
authors.forename: Lorenza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bancalari
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bacci
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cianchetti
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Franco
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vagaggini
authors.forename: Pier Luigi
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Paggiaro
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D017999:Leukotriene E4 / Q000652:urine*; D008297:Male; D013147:Spirometry; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D017999:Leukotriene E4; D001507:Beclomethasone