Okonkwo CS, et al. - In this randomized, double-blind crossover study, researchers determined the short-term impacts of once-daily fluticasone furoate (FF) 100 mcg on methacholine-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and airway inflammation in 11 mild asthmatics over the course of one week. For 7 days, participants were administered once-daily FF (100 mcg) and identical looking placebo Ellipta inhalers, with a 2-week washout. Prior and 24 h following the first, third and seventh doses, they performed methacholine challenges. At the beginning and at 7 days, they measured fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). Findings revealed reduction in methacholine AHR at 24 h as a result of treatment with single-dose FF 100 mcg, however, continued daily use over 7 days did not bring about any significant further improvement. Coinciding of AHR inhibition following one week of daily dosing with a significant reduction in FeNO at 7 days was seen. A rapid attenuation in AHR to methacholine seemed to be caused by inhaled corticosteroid FF, a finding that is contrary to past assumptions.