Inhaled Fluticasone Propionate: Effect on Parameters of Bone Metabolism in Patients With Mild to Moderate Asthma

Inclusion Criteria: * Before any study-specific procedure, the appropriate informed consent must be signed * Male and premenopausal female subjects * Age ≥ 20 years through ≤ 45 years of age * Documented History of Mild to moderate Asthma as defined by the NHLBI guidelines: * Mild Intermittent - FEV1 or PEF \>/= 80% predicted, PEF variability \<20%. * Mild persistent - FEV1 or PEF \>80% predicted, PEF variability, \>/= 20-30% * Moderate persistent - FEV1 or PEF\>60%-\<80% predicted, PEF variability \>30% * Ambulatory status Exclusion Criteria: * Smoking * Current use of inhaled glucocorticoid therapy or use within the past 3 months. Current use of leukotriene modifiers and/or inhaled bronchodilators will be allowed. * Use of oral glucocorticoids within the past year. * Pregnant or breast feeding. * Last menstrual period greater than 1 year ago * Diabetes Mellitus type 1 or 2 * Paget's Disease, osteomalacia, hyperparathyroidism, renal osteodystrophy or other metabolic bone diseases * History of hyperthyroidism within 1 year of randomization * AST or ALT \> 2x upper limit of normal * Serum creatinine greater than 2.0 mg/DL * History of cancer within the previous 5 years, (exceptions: excised superficial lesions, such as basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. * The use of thiazide diuretics or anticonvulsant medications. * Subject is currently enrolled or has received investigational drug within 30 days prior to randomization * Use of (within 3 months of randomization) hormones, SERMS, calcitonin, PTH (Forteo) * Use of (within 6 months of randomization) bisphosphonates, (Fosamax, Actonel, Didronel), Vitamin D 50,000 iu * Use of (within 12 months of randomization) corticosteroids and/or inhaled steroids, anticonvulsants. Topical and intra-articular steroids are allowed except for topical steroids applied to the area where measurements of skin thickness will be made; ie. * Use of (within 24 months of randomization) I.V. Zometa or I.V. Aredia * Subject has any disorder that compromises the ability of the subject to give written consent and/or to comply with study procedures