Patient description: The patient is a 15-year-old boy with asthma diagnosed a year ago. He presents with shortness of breath, chest tightening and cough. According to his mother, he didn't respond to the usual corticosteroid inhaler. He was admitted to the emergency department with diagnosis of severe asthma exacerbation. He is a candidate for general corticosteroid therapy. Spirometry revealed a forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) of 60% of the predicted. His past medical history is non-significant. His family history is significant for asthma in his mother and his uncle. He used to be treated with combination of inhaled corticosteroids and Zafirlukast.

Clinical trial eligibility criteria: eligible ages (years): 18.0-50.0,  Asthma allergic asthmatic cohort Specific 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) confirmed by positive immediate skin test response Oxygen saturation of > 94 % at baseline Blood pressure within the following parameters (Systolic between 150 Diastolic between 100-60 mm Hg) Moderate or severe persistent asthma according to NHLBI definitions including history of one of the following: 1)Episodic wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath consistent with asthma occurring at least once a week that may affect activity;2)Asthma symptoms occurring at night or during sleep at least 1 time per week; 3)measured FEV1 or FVC is <80% of predicted; OR 4)physician diagnosed moderate or severe persistent asthma which is currently treated or controlled with maintenance medication including moderate or high dose inhaled corticosteroid, or any dose of inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting inhaled B2-agonist healthy volunteer cohort Oxygen saturation > 94 % at baseline Blood pressure within the following parameters (Systolic between 150 Diastolic between 100-60 mm Hg)  Any chronic medical condition considered by the PI as a contraindication to receiving gamma tocopherol, including significant cardiovascular disease, diabetes requiring medication, chronic renal disease, chronic thyroid disease, kidney disease or coagulation defects Use of inhaled steroids, cromolyn or leukotriene inhibitors (montelukast or zafirlukast) which have been used for at least one month are allowed. Patients must be on a stable regimen of maintenance asthma therapy which has not changed in the past month prior to entrance into the study NSAID or ASA use within 48 hours of beginning the study, and inability to suspended use of these medications during the length of the study Use of anticoagulants including warfarin, heparin, or clopidogrel Diagnosis of anemia or abnormal blood counts at screening Pregnancy or nursing a baby. As this is a phase I study, the potential risk to a fetus cannot be justified Children will not be included in this study as the potential risk to a growing child cannot be justified Adults age 51 and older are excluded as the potential for concomitant illness in this population increases the risk for confounding the data Known vagal response to venipuncture Abnormal PT or PTT values at screening