AzTrials
AzTrials

Chronic Heart FailurePhase 2GLYCO-HFNCT05966415

Endocalyx for Heart Failure

A Phase 2 study testing Endocalyx Pro in people with Chronic Heart Failure, run by Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA) at 1 site in Netherlands.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

The goal of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study is to assess whether the food supplement Endocalyx Pro reduces sodium and water excess in patients with chronic heart failure. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 110 years
Conditions the study is for
Chronic Heart Failure
What is being tested?
Endocalyx Pro
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
64 participants
Where
1 siteNetherlands
Study dates
21 Apr 2023to 30 Sep 2026
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 110 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Documented or suspected heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF and HFmrEF according to ESC guidelines).
  • Signs of congestion, defined as:
  • Elevated NT-proBNP levels: i. >450 pg/ml in subjects aged <55 years. ii. >900 pg/ml in subjects aged 55-75 years. iii. >1800 pg/ml in subjects aged >75 years. AND b. Use of diuretics, OR c. Presence of peripheral edema, OR d. Complaints of orthopnea or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, OR e. A chest X-rays with sings of volume overload, OR f. Hypertension, as defined by an office blood pressure >140/90 mmHg.
  • Stable diuretic and antihypertensive treatment for the previous 3 weeks.
  • Subject, or legal representative, has voluntarily signed and dated an Informed Consent Form, approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB)/Independent Ethics Committee (IEC), after the nature of the study has been explained and the subject has had the opportunity to ask questions. The informed consent must be signed before any study-specific procedures are performed.
  • Rationale for the inclusion criteria:
  • (1-3) To select the adequate subject population with appropriate disease severity for the evaluation. NT-proBNP levels are known to increase with age.(21, 22) The cutoffs of NT-proBNP levels were selected according the 2021 European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure. (23) (4) In accordance with GCP.
  • Should inclusion prove difficult, we will lower required NT-proBNP levels by 25% to respectively 338, 675 and 1350 pg/ml. We will notify the METC of this decision.

Who cannot join

  • Age <18 years.
  • Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <15 ml/min/1.73m2 measured by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) formula.
  • Severe symptoms of (orthostatic) hypotension.
  • An acute coronary syndrome, stroke, transient ischemic attack or cardiovascular surgery in the last 3 months.
  • Hospitalization for heart failure in the past 3 weeks.
  • Dialysis treatment or expected initiation of dialysis within 3 months of screening.
Show all 14Show fewer
  • Women of child bearing potential.
  • Planned surgery in the next 8 weeks.
  • Major surgery in the previous 4 weeks.
  • Use of any other investigational drug.
  • Presence of significant comorbidities (e.g., advanced malignancy, advanced liver disease) with a life expectancy of less than 1 year.
  • A psychiatric, addictive or any disorder that compromises ability to give truly informed consent for participation in this study.
  • Known hypersensitivity to seaweed, corn, artichoke, grape, melon or to any of the excipients of Endocalyx.
  • Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose galactose malabsorption.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Netherlands1 site
  • Amsterdam UMC

    Amsterdam, North Holland, 1105 AZ

Other trials in Netherlands

About this study

Official title: Glycocalyx Restoration in Chronic Heart Failure: a Proof of Concept, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study

The goal of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study is to assess whether the food supplement Endocalyx Pro reduces sodium and water excess in patients with chronic heart failure.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Read more
  1. To assess whether the food supplement Endocalyx reduces sodium and water excess in patients with chronic heart failure.
  2. To determine the contribution of different potential working mechanisms of Endocalyx in heart failure patients.
  3. To evaluate whether the food supplement Endocalyx will improve patient-reported outcomes such as fluid overload symptoms and quality of life.
  4. To confirm the previously demonstrated safety of Endocalyx in subjects with chronic heart failure.

Participants will be randomized to Endocalyx Pro or Placebo daily for 8 weeks, and will be followed 12 weeks.

Read the detailed description

Primary Objective:

  1. To assess whether the food supplement Endocalyx Pro™ (further termed Endocalyx) reduces sodium and water excess in patients with chronic heart failure.

Secondary Objectives:

  1. To evaluate whether Endocalyx will improve physical limitations and patient-reported outcomes such as fluid overload symptoms and quality of life.
  2. To determine the working mechanisms of Endocalyx in heart failure patients.
  3. To determine whether Endocalyx will alter tissue sodium content.
  4. To analyze whether Endocalyx reduces total body water and body weight.
  5. To assess whether Endocalyx affects office blood pressure, 24-hour blood pressure, peripheral resistance and cardiac output.
  6. To assess whether Endocalyx improves microcirculation characteristics.
  7. To evaluate whether Endocalyx reduces systemic inflammation and monocyte activation.
  8. To confirm safety of Endocalyx in the heart failure population a. To compare the incidence of (serious) adverse events between Endocalyx and placebo.
Being tested
Endocalyx Pro, placebo
Keywords
Glycocalyx, Glycosaminoglycans, Non-osmotic sodium storage, Chronic heart failure

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Endocalyx ProDietary supplement

    Also called Endocalyx

    4 capsules once daily OR 2 capsules twice daily.

  • placeboOther

    4 capsules once daily OR 2 capsules twice daily

Study groups in NCT05966415
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Endocalyx ProExperimentalEndocalyx is a food supplement that is distributed by Microvascular Health Solutions LLC in Alpine, Utah. Patients will receive 4 capsules Endocalyx per day, for 8 consecutive weeks. The capsules are orally administered and can be taken with water, on an empty stomach or with food. If possible, the patient will take 2 capsules in the morning, and 2 capsules in the afternoon. If preferred by the patient, the 4 capsules could also be taken once daily in the morning.
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Endocalyx Pro
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorPlacebo pills will be provided by Microvascular Health Solutions and are matched with the Endocalyx capsules. The placebo capsules contain no active pharmaceutical ingredients and contain solely widely used excipients. Patients will receive 4 capsules of the placebo per day for 8 consecutive weeks. The capsules are orally administered and can be taken with water, on an empty stomach or with food. If possible, the patient will take 2 capsules in the morning, and 2 capsules in the afternoon. If preferred by the patient, the 4 capsules could also be taken once daily in the morning.
Receives: Other: placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in NT-proBNP in patients with chronic heart failure with (mildly) reduced ejection fraction.

    Our primary outcome will be the degree of volume overload as measured by the change in NT-proBNP from baseline to the study end at 8 weeks. The primary analysis will be performed using a mixed model for repeated measures (MMRM) on log-transformed NT-proBNP values. We will first fit models to analyze the overall treatment effect, and thereafter fit different models to assess the treatment effect over time (visit-specific).

    Our primary analysis will be an intention-to-treat analysis. To check the robustness of our results, we will perform a per protocol analysis. Subjects that withdraw their consent and stop the study medication will be asked to consent for a NT-proBNP measurement at the scheduled end of the study.

    NT-proBNP will be measured at screening visit, week 0 (randomization), week 4 and 8

    Measured: 8 weeks

Secondary outcomes (32)
  1. Change in 24 hour blood pressure, daytime blood pressure, nighttime blood pressure in Endocalyx treated patients when compared with subject receiving Placebo

    24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial blood pressure) will be measured at screening, week 4 and week 8

    Measured: 8 weeks

  2. Change in total body water in Endocalyx treated patients when compared with subject receiving Placebo

    Total body water and body weight will be measured with a body composition monitor at week 0 (randomization visit), 4 and 8

    Measured: 8 weeks

  3. Change in body weight (in kilograms) in Endocalyx treated patients when compared with subject receiving Placebo

    Body weight will be measured at week 0 (randomization visit), 4 and 8

    Measured: 8 weeks

  4. Change in hemodynamic parameters in Endocalyx treated patients when compared with subject receiving Placebo

    Nexfin will be used to measure hemodynamic parameters (such as heart rate, cardiac output and total peripheral resistance) at week 0 (randomization visit), 4 and 8

    Measured: 8 weeks

  5. Concentration change of Adrenomedullin in Endocalyx treated patients when compared with subject receiving Placebo

    Adrenomedullin concentrations willl be measured in plasma. Blood will be collected at visits 0,1,2 and 3 (week 0-8)

    Measured: 0-8 weeks

  6. Change/difference in ratio of classical, non-classical and intermediate monocyte subsets.

    will be isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected at week 0 and 8

    Measured: 0-8 weeks

  7. Difference in chemokine. scavenger receptors, and surface proteins associated with monocyte adhesion, migration and activation concentrations, in Endocalyx treated patients when compared with subject receiving Placebo

    will be isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected at week 0 and 8

    Measured: 8 weeks

  8. Lipopolysaccharide-mediated cytokine secretion of monocytes in vitro in Endocalyx treated patients when compared with subjects receiving Placebo

    will be isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected at week 0 and 8

    Measured: 8 weeks

  9. Difference in hospitalization rates due to heart failure in Endocalyx treated patients when compared with subjects receiving Placebo

    (serious) adverse events will be asked regularly throughout the study (during each study visit, and telephone call)

    Measured: 12 weeks

  10. Distance covered during the 6 minute walking tests in Endocalyx treated patients when compared with subjects receiving Placebo

    Difference and change in meters covered during the six minute walking tests will be assessed during visit 0 (week 0) and 3 (week 8)

    Measured: 8 weeks

  11. Change in self-reported Quality of life in Endocalyx treated patients when compared with subjects receiving Placebo

    Quality of life assessment with the RAND-36 and the Dutch version of the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). The MLHFQ is one of the most widely used instruments for evaluating health-related quality of life in heart failure patients internationally and has been recommended by a systematic and reliable expert-based evaluation of available heart failure-specific health-related quality of life questionnaires.

    Questionnaires will be filled in at week 0,4an 8

    Measured: 8 weeks

  12. Difference in incidence of (serious) adverse events in Endocalyx treated patients when compared with subjects receiving Placebo

    (serious) adverse events will be asked regularly throughout the study (during each study visit, and telephone call)

    Measured: 12 weeks

  13. Pharmacokinetics of Endocalyx

    (precursors of) glycosaminoglycans will be measured in urine and blood at set timepoints in a subset of patients who give additional informed consent at week 0,4 and 8

    Measured: 0-8 weeks

  14. Skin sodium content in skin biopsies

    In a subset of patients who give additional informed consent for skin biopsies, skin sodium content will be measured.

    Changes and differences in Endocalyx treated patients will be compared with subjects receiving Placebo.

    Skin biopsies will be taken at week 0 and 8.

    Measured: 0-8 weeks

  15. monocyte and macrophage expression and density in skin biopsies

    In a subset of patients who give additional informed consent for skin biopsies the migration of monocytes, skin macrophage density and expression will be assessed.

    Changes and differences in Endocalyx treated patients will be compared with subjects receiving Placebo.

    Skin biopsies will be taken at week 0 and 8.

    Measured: 0-8 weeks

  16. Change/difference in blood pressure in Endocalyx treated patients when compared with subjects receiving Placebo

    Office blood pressure (systolic and diastolic blood pressure) will be measured (standardized) during each study visit.

    Measured: 12 weeks

  17. Difference/Change in 24-hour urine sodium and potassium excretion in Endocalyx treated patients when compared with subjects receiving Placebo

    Subjects will collect 24-hour urine for the visits 1 and 3 (week 0 and 8 respectively)

    Measured: 8 weeks

  18. Plasma aldosterone and renin change/difference in Endocalyx treated patients when compared with subjects receiving Placebo

    Blood will be collected at visits 0,1,2 and 3 (week 0-8)

    Measured: 8 weeks

  19. Differential treatment effects of Endocalyx in male and female patients

    Exploratory subgroup analyses are planned to evaluate differential treatment effects of Endocalyx in male and female patients. Previous studies have demonstrated that women have lower skin sodium content than men and show less of an increase in skin sodium content after a high sodium diet.(36, 37) Also, heart failure is different in men and women. Women are more likely to have a non-ischemic ideology and hypertension as a cause of heart failure, and respond differently to treatment.(38) Considering these important gender differences in both heart failure characteristics and the suggested working mechanism of Endocalyx, it is likely that Endocalyx will have different effects in men and women.

    Measured: 12 weeks

  20. Percent change in antihypertensive drug dosage or number prescribed

    % change in antihypertensive drug dosage or number prescribed in Endocalyx treated patients when compared with subjects receiving Placebo. Medication will be reviewed during visits 0-3 and during the telephone calls

    Measured: 8 weeks

  21. Percent change in diuretics (dosage or number prescribed)

    % change in diuretics (dosage or number prescribed) prescribed in Endocalyx treated patients when compared with subjects receiving Placebo. Medication will be reviewed during visits 0-3 and during the telephone calls

    Measured: 8 weeks

  22. Change from baseline in total vessel density and perfused vessel density

    The total vessel density and perfused vessel density will be measured using Sidestream Dark Field imaging

    Measured: 8 weeks

  23. Change from baseline in VEGF-C

    Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) levels (in pg/mL) will be determined with ELISA

    Measured: 8 weeks

  24. Change from baseline in proportion of perfused vessels

    The proportion of perfussed vessels will be measured using Sidestream Dark Field imaging.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  25. Change from baseline in microvascular flow index

    The microvascular flow index will be measured using Sidestream Dark Field imaging.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  26. Change from baseline in microvascular health score

    The microvascular health score will be measured using Sidestream Dark Field imaging.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  27. Change from baseline in transepidermal water loss

    Transepidermal water loss will be measured with the Tewameter® TM Hex probe

    Measured: 8 weeks

  28. Change from baseline in skin hydration

    The skin hydration will be measured using the Corneometer® CM 825 probeTime

    Measured: 8 weeks

  29. Change from baseline in VEGF-A

    Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) levels (in pg/mL) will be determined with ELISA

    Measured: 8 weeks

  30. Change from baseline in Angiopoietin 1

    Angiopoietin 1 levels (in pg/mL) will be determined with ELISA

    Measured: 8 weeks

  31. Change from baseline in Angiopoietin 2

    Angiopoietin 2 levels (in pg/mL) will be determined with ELISA

    Measured: 8 weeks

  32. Change from baseline in TIE2

    TIE 2 levels (in pg/mL) will be determined with ELISA

    Measured: 8 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted28 Jul 2023
  2. Study start21 Apr 2023
  3. Primary completion1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Sep 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator
Enrolment
64 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05966415
Sponsor's protocol ID
NL81588.018.22
Acronym
GLYCO-HF
Status last verified
Aug 2026
First submitted
30 Mar 2023
Last updated
24 Aug 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Endocalyx Pro in people with Chronic Heart Failure, run by Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA) at 1 site in Netherlands.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 14 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Netherlands. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in NT-proBNP in patients with chronic heart failure with (mildly) reduced ejection fraction. (time frame: 8 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Aug 2026.

Free account

Keep searching with a free account

You’ve used your 3 free searches for this session. Log in or create a free AzTrials account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in