The Role of Vitamins E and C in Maintaining Lung Health in People With Asthma (VITAS)

Inclusion Criteria:

• Confirmed allergy to at least one of the following allergen preparations: house dust mite f; house dust mite p; cockroach; tree mix; grass mix; weed mix; mold mix 1; mold mix 2; rat; mouse; guinea pig; rabbit; cat; or dog
• Oxygen saturation greater than 94% at baseline
• Systolic blood pressure between 150 and 90 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure between 90 and 60 mm Hg
• Physician-diagnosed asthma or history of episodic wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath consistent with asthma
• Airway reactivity as determined by either a provocative concentration of methacholine producing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PC20 methacholine) of less than 10 mg/ml by the method used or 12% reversibility of baseline lung function with albuterol therapy for two of the three measures: FVC, FEV1, and FEF25-75%
• Agree to discontinue use of vitamin supplements for the duration of the study
• On a stable regimen of maintenance asthma therapy that has not changed within the month prior to participation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Chronic medical condition that may make vitamin E and vitamin C treatment medically inadvisable (e.g., significant cardiovascular disease, diabetes requiring medication, chronic kidney disease, chronic thyroid disease, or coagulation defects)
• History of kidney stones
• Use of anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin, heparin, or clopindogrel)
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Use of inhaled steroids, cromolyn, or leukotriene inhibitors (Montelukast or Zafirkulast) for at least one month is not criteria for exclusion.